Older Adult Falls (65+)

• Purpose: To determine population trends and impact of falls on older Rhode Islanders (age 65+)
• Key Information: Number of fatal and non-fatal falls reported at Rhode Island hospital emergency departments.
• Collection Period: Deaths since 1999, injuries since 2005.
  

Rhode Island Numbers

Full Screen / Data

Older Adults (65+) 2005-2009

• Rhode Island has a higher rate of both fatal and non-fatal falls than the national average.
• It is unclear why the fall injury rate was significantly higher in 2007.

Older Adults (65+) by Age Group

• Injuries and deaths from falls increases as the population ages
• For adults ages 85+ the Rhode Island fall rate is almost double the national average.

Older Adult Falls (65+) By Sex, Rhode Island

• Men have a higher rate of fatal falls than women.
• Women have a higher rate of fall injuries and are more likely to go to the emergency department than men.

Notes:The Rhode Island Emergency Department Data counts every emergency department visit as a unique event. The WISQARS data uses a sampling survey method of 500,000 E.D. visits annually to calcultate rates. Injury was listed as the primary reason for emergency department visit or death. Rates based on less than 10 events have been suppressed.