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+.

• “The rate of hospitalizations for fall-related injuries is highest among persons 70 and older—733 new patients each week.” (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