Definition

The number of hospitalizations due to unintentional falls per 10,000 population. ICD-10: W00-W19.

Numerator

Number of hospitalizations due to unintentional falls (ICD-10 codes: W00-W19).

Denominator

Total number of persons in the population of Utah.

Data Interpretation Issues

*Use caution in interpreting; the estimate has a coefficient of variation > 30% and is therefore deemed unreliable by Utah Department of Health standards. Consider aggregating years to decrease the relative standard error and improve the reliability of the estimate. **The estimate has been suppressed because 1) the relative standard error is greater than 50% or 2) the observed number of events is very small and not appropriate for publication.

Why Is This Important?

Falls are a leading cause of injury death for Utahns, especially those aged 65 and older. Additionally, in Utah, unintentional fall-related inpatient hospital charges for all ages totaled $1.28 billion over from 2016 to 2020.

Healthy People Objective IVP-23.2:

Prevent an increase in fall-related deaths among adults aged 65 years and older
U.S. Target: 47.0 deaths per 100,000 population

How Are We Doing?

Unintentional falls caused 403 unintentional fall-related deaths in Utah in 2021; 87% (351/403) of deaths were among Utahns aged 65 and older. In 2020, females aged 65 and older had a significantly higher rate of hospitalizations due to unintentional falls (112.5 per 10,000 population) than males aged 65 and older (71.7 per 10,000 population). Note: 2020 is the most current year for which data is available for hospitalizations.

How Do We Compare With the U.S.?

In 2020 in Utah, there were 184.5 hospitalizations due to unintentional falls for every 100,000 people (age-adjusted rate). This is significantly less than the U.S. rate of 320 hospitalizations per 100,000 people hospitalized due to unintentional falls.

What Is Being Done?

The Utah Department of Health Violence and Injury Prevention Program (VIPP) receives funding from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to collect traumatic brain injury surveillance data, including a falls-specific data module, for the state of Utah. This is done through review of hospital discharge data, vital statistics data, and hospital records abstractions. Local health departments and other community-based agencies have implemented evidence-based falls prevention programs, such as the Stepping On program and Matter of Balance program. These programs work to increase strength and balance, reduce fall hazards in the home, and build self-efficacy among participants to reduce the fear of falling. National research shows the programs reduce falls among participants. The classes are free to the public. The Utah Falls Prevention Coalition was established by the VIPP in 2011 with the purpose of developing a strategic, statewide response to the growing rate of falls among older adults in the state. Until this time, there had been no single, statewide response to address this public health problem in Utah. Many organizations were implementing falls prevention activities but resources and activities were scattered and disconjointed when looked at from a public health perspective. The Coalition has three main purposes: 1) bring together partners who have an interest in falls prevention among older adults, 2) develop goals and strategies on falls prevention among older adults to include in the Utah Violence and Injury Plan, and 3) ready the state for future funding opportunities on falls prevention.

Available Services

You can sign up for Stepping On classes near you at [https://livingwell.utah.gov] [[br]] Contact your local health department or senior center for more information on available classes.

Health Program Information

The Violence and Injury Prevention Program (VIPP) is a trusted and comprehensive resource for data related to violence and injury. Through education, this information helps promote partnerships and programs to prevent injuries and improve public health.

Relevant Population Characteristics

Unintentional fall-related hospitalizations are highest among Utahns 65 years of age and older. Women are injured more often from falls than men, but men die more often from their injuries.

Risk Factors

Risk factors for falls include older age, poor eyesight, lack of regular exercise, poor nutrition, substance abuse and smoking, and misuse of medications. Some medications can cause drowsiness or dizziness and some drugs can interact with other medications or alcohol and cause problems that may lead to falling. In addition, certain health conditions can increase the risk of falls including osteoporosis, arthritis, clinical depression, dementia, and neurological or musculoskeletal disorders like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. In the home environmental hazards such as poor lighting, lack of grab bars and handrails, slippery or wet surfaces, uneven floors and surfaces, clutter, and loose throw rugs are factors in many falls.

Health Status Outcomes

Falls are the leading cause of death and injury disability among Utahns 65 years of age and older. Falls account for as many as 87% of all fractures and are the second leading cause of traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries among seniors. Among people ages 75 and older, those who fall are four to five times more likely to be admitted to a long-term care facility for a year or longer. Nearly one in four elderly Utahns will die of complications from a hip fracture within one year of the injury. Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Unintentional fall injury hospitalization rates are higher the older a person gets. Females had higher rates than males for the older age groups.

Data Source

Utah Inpatient Hospital Discharge Data, Office of Health Care Statistics, Utah Department of Health

Data Notes

Age-adjusted to the U.S. 2000 standard population. Data reported are for all years using the current boundaries.

Deaths due to falls significantly increase as people age due to increased frailty and decreased response to environmental risks that lead to falls. With each increase in 10-year age group, the rate increases 3-4 times accordingly. In younger age groups, males are more likely than females to pass away due to a fall.

Data Notes

ICD-10 codes include W00-W19.

References and Community Resources

National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention[[br]] [http://www.cdc.gov/injury] UDOH Violence and Injury Prevention Program [[br]] [http://health.utah.gov/vipp/older-adults/falls/]