• Unintentional falls are the leading cause of injury among older adults >65 years in the United States. 

• A study was conducted to describe the patterns of fatal and nonfatal falls by sex and geography.

• Data was collected from:

1. The 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) 

2. The 2021 National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) data. 

The findings of the study were as follows: 

1. 27.6% (14 million) of older adults reported such a history. 

2. Falls were higher among the women (28.9% vs. 26.1%) 

3. Falls were higher in the noncore countries. 

4. The rate of unintentional fall death was found to be 78 per 100,000, which was higher among men when compared to women. 

5. The incidence of falls and the rate of fall deaths were highest among the non-Hispanic White and non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native persons. 

6. The highest percentage of falls and fall deaths were seen in Alaska and Wisconsin, respectively.  

• Most falls are preventable but are the leading cause of high morbidity and mortality among older adults. 

• Hence, prevention strategies need to be strengthened.