Product News and Recalls

World Health Organization Releases Stunning Data on Falls

World Health Organization releases fall dataWhen most people think about the kinds of incidents that can unintentionally end a life early, they think of dramatic events like car collisions, animal attacks, and freak accidents. And while crashes on the world’s roadways are responsible for the most accidental deaths every year, the second-leading cause may surprise you.

According to information released by the World Health Organization, 684,000 people are killed worldwide from falls every year, and 37.3 million are hospitalized by the injuries sustained from their falls. While falls affect every age group, those aged 60 years or more comprise the largest group of fall fatalities and 80% of the world’s fall fatalities occur in low- and middle-income countries.

What makes the issue of falls even worse is that, according to the Mayo Clinic, your odds of falling increase as you grow older. As your body becomes more susceptible to the kinds of injuries common to falls, you also become more likely to sustain a fall yourself. In fact, those same studies show that falls are a leading cause of injury among America’s senior citizen population.

While the number of falls appears to be evenly spread among men and women, statistically, men are more likely to suffer a fatal fall while women appear to be more likely to survive their incident. Risk factors are spread out among much more than just gender roles though. Alcohol and/or substance abuse can have a part in an individual’s likelihood to be injured or die in a fall, as can the side effects of various types of medication. Those who live in poverty or overcrowded housing situations are also more likely to suffer a fall injury, as are those who parent their children on their own or who have had children at a young age.

With falls playing such a large role in overall worldwide health, it is worth the time to take note of ways to prevent falls from occurring, either through medication, mobility enhancement, or striving toward safer workplaces and living spaces. The World Health Organization, the Mayo Clinic, and the National Institute on Aging have published extensive information on the topic of fall prevention and things that everyday people can do to ensure that they, those around them, and their loved ones stay upright and safe.