Judy A. Stevens

The costs of fatal and non‐fatal falls among older adults

Objective: To estimate the incidence and direct medical costs for fatal and non-fatal fall injuries among US adults aged ⩾65 years in 2000, for three treatment settings stratified by age, sex, body region, and type of injury. Methods: Incidence data came from the 2000 National Vital Statistics System, 2001 National Electronic Injury Surveillance System-All Injury Program, 2000 Health Care Utilization Program National Inpatient Sample, and 1999 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Costs for fatal falls came from Incidence and economic burden of injuries in the United States; costs for non-fatal falls were based on claims from the 1998 and 1999 Medicare fee-for-service 5% Standard Analytical Files. A case crossover approach was used to compare the monthly costs before and after the fall. Results: In 2000, there were almost 10 300 fatal and 2.6 million medically treated non-fatal fall related injuries. Direct medical costs totaled

Gender differences for non-fatal unintentional fall related injuries among older adults

0.2 billion dollars for fatal and

Self-Reported Falls and Fall-Related Injuries Among Persons Aged ≥ 65 Years–United States, 2006 ☆

19 billion dollars for non-fatal injuries. Of the non-fatal injury costs, 63% (

The direct costs of fatal and non-fatal falls among older adults - United States

12 billion) were for hospitalizations, 21% (

Gender differences in seeking care for falls in the aged Medicare population.

4 billion) were for emergency department visits, and 16% (

Development of STEADI: a fall prevention resource for health care providers.

3 billion) were for treatment in outpatient settings. Medical expenditures for women, who comprised 58% of the older adult population, were 2–3 times higher than for men for all medical treatment settings. Fractures accounted for just 35% of non-fatal injuries but 61% of costs. Conclusions: Fall related injuries among older adults, especially among older women, are associated with substantial economic costs. Implementing effective intervention strategies could appreciably decrease the incidence and healthcare costs of these injuries.

Chronic Medical Conditions and Risk of Fall Injury Events at Home in Older Adults

Objectives: To quantify gender differences for non-fatal unintentional fall related injuries among US adults age 65 years and older treated in hospital emergency departments (EDs). Methods: The authors analyzed data from a nationally representative sample of ED visits for January 2001 through December 2001, available through the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System All Injury Program (NEISS-AIP). For each initial ED visit, coders record one principal diagnosis (usually the most severe) and one primary part of the body affected. Results: Based on 22 560 cases, an estimated 1.64 million older adults were treated in EDs for unintentional fall injuries. Of these, approximately 1.16 million, or 70.5%, were women. Fractures, contusions/abrasions, and lacerations accounted for more than three quarters of all injuries. Rates for injury diagnoses were generally higher among women, most notably for fractures which were 2.2 times higher than for men. For all parts of the body, women’s injury rates exceeded those of men. Rate ratios were greatest for injuries of the leg/foot (2.3), arm/hand (2.0), and lower trunk (2.0). The hospitalization rate for women was 1.8 times that for men. Conclusions: Among older adults, non-fatal fall related injuries disproportionately affected women. Much is known about effective fall prevention strategies. We need to refine, promote, and implement these interventions. Additional research is needed to tailor interventions for different populations and to determine gender differences in the underlying causes and/or circumstances of falls. This information is vital for developing and implementing targeted fall prevention strategies.

Physical activity, functional limitations, and the risk of fall-related fractures in community-dwelling elderly

PROBLEM In 2005, 15,802 persons aged>or=65 years died from fall injuries. How many older adults seek outpatient treatment for minor or moderate fall injuries is unknown. METHOD To estimate the percentage of older adults who fell during the preceding three months, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) analyzed data from two questions about falls included in the 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey. RESULTS Approximately 5.8 million (15.9%) persons aged>or=65 years reported falling at least once during the preceding three months, and 1.8 million (31.3%) of those who fell sustained an injury that resulted in a doctor visit or restricted activity for at least one day. DISCUSSION This report presents the first national estimates of the number and proportion of persons reporting fall-related injuries associated with either doctor visits or restricted activity. SUMMARY The prevalence of falls reinforces the need for broader use of scientifically proven fall-prevention interventions. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY Falls and fall-related injuries represent an enormous burden to individuals, society, and to our health care system. Because the U.S. population is aging, this problem will increase unless we take preventive action by broadly implementing evidence-based fall prevention programs. Such programs could appreciably decrease the incidence and health care costs of fall injuries, as well as greatly improve the quality of life for older adults.

Unintentional fall injuries associated with walkers and canes in older adults treated in U.S. emergency departments.

INTRODUCTION This study sought to estimate the incidence, average cost, and total direct medical costs for fatal and non-fatal fall injuries in hospital, ED, and out-patient settings among U.S. adults aged 65 or older in 2012, by sex and age group and to report total direct medical costs for falls inflated to 2015 dollars. METHOD Incidence data came from the 2012 National Vital Statistics System, 2012 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project-Nationwide Inpatient Sample, 2012 Health Care Utilization Program National Emergency Department Sample, and 2007 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Costs for fatal falls were derived from the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System; costs for non-fatal falls were based on claims from the 1998/1999 Medicare fee-for-service 5% Standard Analytical Files. Costs were inflated to 2015 estimates using the health care component of the Personal Consumption Expenditure index. RESULTS In 2012, there were 24,190 fatal and 3.2 million medically treated non-fatal fall related injuries. Direct medical costs totaled

Declining hip fracture rates in the United States

616.5 million for fatal and