What's the single most common source of injury? This is Dr. Steven Andrew Davis, Speaking of Health. Public health officials in California acknowledge that people are hurt in mishaps involving cars, poisons, guns, water, and fire. Yet, they say, "The most pervasive source of injury is gravity. More people suffer serious injuries from falling than from any other cause."
In California alone, with most recent year studied, over 80,000 senior citizens were hospitalized as a result of falls. Worried about a car accident in your senior friend or relative? In California, "for every hospitalization for a traffic injury, there are 10 hospitalizations caused by falls. In 1997 (in that State) falls accounted for 72 per cent of all injury hospitalizations." These rates, as are those seen in other parts of the US and in Europe, continue to rise.
Not surprisingly the rate of injuries due to falls increase dramatically as people age. For every Californian adult under age 54 who is hospitalized for fall, there are more than 50 seniors over age 85 who are hospitalized. There are some ways to reduce risk of injuries from falls in senior citizens. We will list some of those along with a copy of this script on our web site, www.speakingof health.com. Speaking of Health, I'm Dr. Steven Andrew Davis for CBS News.
Ref:
California Morbidity, November 2000, Department of Health Services
Fortunately, the public health community has already developed some effective strategies for prevention. Methods include:
Osteoporosis prevention and treatment
Improving physical condition
Monitoring of medications which may affect balance
Eliminating fall hazards in the home (removing throw rugs, installing bathroom grab bars, increasing illumination, etc.
E-Mail
drdavis@davishealth.com
