Health

Falls become a leading killer of seniors

NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Dec. 11, 2006

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The rate of death associated with falls for those older than 65 has increased and is now the leading cause of injury-related death for this age group, says a paper in the Nov. 17 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Rates increased by more than 45% for men from 1993 to 2003 and grew by nearly 60% for women. In 2003, 13,700 seniors died as a result of injuries received from a fall, and 1.8 million were hurt severely enough to require emergency department treatment.

Public health officials are calling on physicians to review medications to reduce the chance that a drug interaction could increase the risk of falling. Seniors should also exercise regularly, have their eyes checked annually and eliminate hazards in the home.

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2006/12/11/hlbf1211.htm.

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