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American Bone Health has closed.  However, on October 1, 2023, we joined forces with the Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation (BHOF) so that BHOF could continue offering all of the important programs and services created by American Bone Health. Please visit www.bonehealthandosteoporosis.org for more information about the Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation.

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Statistics about Falls

Fall risk

The first step in getting your arms around the issue of falls is to get a picture of the problem. As you can see from the following statistics, age plays a big role in falls and their outcomes:

  • Every year, more than 30% of U.S. adults 65 and older fall. Falls are the leading cause of death in this age group.
  • Falls are the most common cause of non-fatal injuries and hospital admissions in people 65 and older. (In 2005, 1.8 million people were treated in hospital ERs for non-fatal falls.)
  • Most fractures among older adults are caused by falls.
  • The most common fractures involve the spine, hip, pelvis, arm, hand, leg, and ankle.
  • The rate of fall-related deaths among older adults has increased over the past decade.

Falls are expensive. In 2000, direct medical costs added up to $179 million for fatal falls and $19 billion for non-fatal fall-related injuries. And their impact reverberates far beyond dollar costs into our social fabric:

  • Bruises, hip fractures, and head trauma-suffered by 20 to 30% of those who fall limit mobility and make independent living difficult or impossible.
  • Falls increase the risk of early death.
  • Many people who fall, even if they are not injured, develop a fear of falling. They respond by limiting their activities. Ironically, this response reduces their mobility and independence, decreases physical fitness, and increases the chance of falling.
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The American Bone Health Fracture Risk Calculator™ estimates fracture risk for women and men over age 45.

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