CSCS: Council of Senior Centers and Services of NYC, Inc.

NYS Falls Stats Fact Sheets

According to the New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Injury Prevention (Vital Records), in New York State, there were:

• 2,100 fall-related hospitalizations per 100,000 for people 70+ (1994).
• Falls were the leading cause of hospitalizations due to injury in New York for those over 65 years of age; 75% of total injuries or 109,069 injuries were from falls among those 65+ (1990-1992).
• Falls were the leading cause of death due to injury for those over 65+; 29% of deaths from fall-related injuries or 1,614 deaths for those 65+.
• ŽėThe rate of hospitalizations for fall-related injuries is highest among persons 70 and olderŽó733 new patients each week.Žî (1993).
• Hospital charges for treating individuals 70+ to fall injuries comprised roughly $530 million of the $1.6 billion; one-third of the total cost of hospital charges for treating injuries (1993).

The following graphs from the NYDOH Bureau of Injury Prevention, show the dramatic increase of fall- related injuries, deaths, and costs with associated with them as age increases, particularly those 70+.

Age Specific Rates
Hospitalizations Due to Falls
New York State(NYDOH, Bureau of Injury Prevention) 1993

Leading Injury Etiologies by Ages
Hospitalizations Due to Injury
New York State, 1990-1992

Leading Injury Etiologies by Ages
Deaths Due to Injury
New York State, 1990-1992