17 percent increase found in national age-adjusted rate of fall-related TBI deaths from 2008 to 2017
THURSDAY, March 5, 2020 (HealthDay News) — From 2008 to 2017, there was an increase in the national age-adjusted rate of unintentional fall-related traumatic brain injury (TBI) deaths among U.S. adults, according to research published in the March 6 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Alexis B. Peterson, Ph.D., and Scott R. Kegler, Ph.D., from the CDC in Atlanta, estimated the national and state-specific rates and trends for TBI-related deaths caused by unintentional falls among U.S. residents during 2008 to 2017.
The researchers found that for 2008 to 2017, there was a 17 percent increase in the national age-adjusted rate of fall-related TBI deaths. For nearly all decedent characteristics, there was a significant increase in rate trends at the national level; the most notable increases were seen among persons living in noncore, nonmetropolitan counties and those aged ≥75 years. In an analysis of state-specific rate trends, there was a significant increase in fall-related TBI deaths in 29 states during the study period.
“Although falls are preventable, the public should be aware that fall-related TBI deaths are increasing in many states as well as nationally,” the authors write. “Annual wellness visits might serve as a time to focus on previously assessed risk factors for falls and to update personalized prevention plans.”
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