Latest news with #GeoffreyHoffman
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
More than 41,000 retirement-age Americans died of falls in 2023
More older adults in the United States are dying from unintentional falls, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics data brief out Wednesday, researchers found the death rate for falls in adults 65 and older increased with increasing age for both men and women. From 2003 to 2023, the rate increased more than 70% for adults ages 65 to 74, and more than 75% for those aged 75 to 84. It more than doubled for seniors 85 and older. In 2023 alone, more than 41,000 retirement-age Americans died of falls — with more than half of those deaths among people 85 and older. "Falls continue to be a public health problem worth paying attention to," Geoffrey Hoffman, a University of Michigan researcher who was not involved in the new report, told The Associated Press. "It's curious that these rates keep rising." The data brief did not explore reasons behind the increase, but experts say there are ways to better prevent falls as you age. How to help prevent falls Multiple health organizations, including the National Institute on Aging and the Mayo Clinic, say there are strategies to help prevent falls. Stay physically active: As we age, our muscles lose mass and strength, which can contribute to falls. To counteract this, improving strength, balance, coordination and flexibility can reduce your your home: Fall-proofing your home by removing unnecessary hazards — like electrical cords in walkways or loose rugs — and adding in helpful tools — like nonslip mats in showers and ample lighting — is another way to make your home an assistive device: "Using canes and walkers correctly can help prevent falls. If your doctor tells you to use a cane or walker, make sure it's the right size for you," the National Institute on Aging suggests. Other devices like raised toilet seats, handrails or grab bars are other options to consider, the Mayo Clinic sensible shoes: Floppy slippers and shoes with slick soles can make you slip and fall, so opt for "properly fitting, sturdy, flat shoes with nonskid soles," the Mayo Clinic ignore your health: Changes in sight and hearing are linked to an increased risk for falls, so it's important to get tested and wear aids as needed. Certain medications can also make you dizzy or sleepy, so be mindful and talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions or concerns. Teen questioned after family's quadruple murder Iranians evacuate capital Tehran, some say the regime is frightened Parents, brother of slain Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman speak about her death
CBS News
3 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
More than 41,000 retirement-age Americans died of falls in 2023. Here are tips to help prevent it.
Seniors learn how to fall, with a lot of help Millions of seniors lose their balance. Falling is the number-one cause of injuries among the elderly Millions of seniors lose their balance. Falling is the number-one cause of injuries among the elderly More older adults in the United States are dying from unintentional falls, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics data brief out Wednesday, researchers found the death rate for falls in adults 65 and older increased with increasing age for both men and women. From 2003 to 2023, the rate increased more than 70% for adults ages 65 to 74, and more than 75% for those aged 75 to 84. It more than doubled for seniors 85 and older. In 2023 alone, more than 41,000 retirement-age Americans died of falls — with more than half of those deaths among people 85 and older. "Falls continue to be a public health problem worth paying attention to," Geoffrey Hoffman, a University of Michigan researcher who was not involved in the new report, told The Associated Press. "It's curious that these rates keep rising." The data brief did not explore reasons behind the increase, but experts say there are ways to better prevent falls as you age. How to help prevent falls Multiple health organizations, including the National Institute on Aging and the Mayo Clinic, say there are strategies to help prevent falls. Stay physically active: As we age, our muscles lose mass As we age, Review your home: Fall-proofing your home by removing unnecessary hazards — like electrical cords in walkways or loose rugs — and adding in helpful tools — like nonslip mats in showers and ample lighting — is another way to make your home safer. Fall-proofing your home by removing unnecessary hazards — like electrical cords in walkways or loose rugs — and adding in helpful tools — like nonslip mats in showers and ample lighting — is another way to make your home safer. Use an assistive device: "Using canes and walkers correctly can help prevent falls. If your doctor tells you to use a cane or walker, make sure it's the right size for you," the National Institute on Aging suggests. Other devices like raised toilet seats, handrails or grab bars are other options to consider, the Mayo Clinic adds. "Using canes and walkers correctly can help prevent falls. If your doctor tells you to use a cane or walker, make sure it's the right size for you," the National Institute on Aging suggests. Other devices like raised toilet seats, handrails or grab bars are other options to consider, the Mayo Clinic adds. Wear sensible shoes: Floppy slippers and shoes with slick soles can make you slip and fall, so opt for "properly fitting, sturdy, flat shoes with nonskid soles," the Mayo Clinic suggests. Floppy slippers and shoes with slick soles can make you slip and fall, so opt for "properly fitting, sturdy, flat shoes with nonskid soles," the Mayo Clinic suggests. Don't ignore your health: Changes in sight and hearing are linked to an increased risk for falls, so it's important to get tested and wear aids as needed. Certain medications can also make you dizzy or sleepy, so be mindful and talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions or concerns.
New York Post
3 days ago
- Health
- New York Post
US senior citizens are increasingly dying from this mishap
Older U.S. adults are increasingly dying from unintentional falls, according to a new federal report published Wednesday, with white people accounting for the vast majority of the deaths. From 2003 to 2023, death rates from falls rose more than 70% for adults ages 65 to 74, the report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. The rate increased more than 75% for people 75 to 84, and more than doubled for seniors 85 and older. 4 From 2003 to 2023, death rates from falls rose more than 70% for adults ages 65 to 74. LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS – 'Falls continue to be a public health problem worth paying attention to,' said Geoffrey Hoffman, a University of Michigan researcher who was not involved in the new report. 'It's curious that these rates keep rising.' The CDC researchers did not try to answer why death rates from falls are increasing. But experts say there may be a few reasons, like gradually improving our understanding of the the role falls play in deaths and more people living longer — to ages when falls are more likely to have deadly consequences. More than 41,000 retirement-age Americans died of falls in 2023, the most recent year for which final statistics based on death certificates are available. That suggests that falls were blamed in about 1 of every 56 deaths in older Americans that year. 4 More than 41,000 retirement-age Americans died of falls in 2023. amazing studio – More than half of those 41,000 deaths were people 85 and older, the CDC found, and white people accounted for 87% of deaths in the oldest category. Falls can cause head injuries or broken bones that can lead to permanent disability and trigger a cascade of other health problems. A number of factors can contribute to falls, including changes in hearing and vision and medications that can cause light-headedness. 4 More than half of those 41,000 deaths were people 85 and older, the CDC found, and white people accounted for 87% of deaths in the oldest category. Andrey Popov – Death rates varied widely from state to state. In 2023, Wisconsin had the highest death rates from falls, followed by Minnesota, Maine, Oklahoma and Vermont. Wisconsin's rate was more than five times higher than the rate of the lowest state, Alabama. Ice and wintry weather may partly explain why fatal falls were more common in states in the upper Midwest and New England, but experts also pointed to other things at play, like differences in how well falls are reported and to what extent they are labeled a cause of death. 'We've yet to unravel why you see such differences in state rates,' said Hoffman, who studies falls among the elderly. 4 In 2023, Wisconsin had the highest death rates from falls, followed by Minnesota, Maine, Oklahoma and Vermont. toa555 – Researchers also can't yet explain why white seniors die of falls at higher rates than people in other racial and ethnic groups. In the 85-and-up age group, the death rate for white Americans is two or three times higher than any other group, while older Black people had the lowest fall-related death rate. 'Kind of a flip of the traditional disparity lens,' Hoffman said, referring to the fact that for most other rates of illness and injury, people of color are disproportionately affected. Staying active can help people avoid falls, experts say.
CNN
3 days ago
- Health
- CNN
Older adults in the US are increasingly dying from unintentional falls
Older U.S. adults are increasingly dying from unintentional falls, according to a new federal report published Wednesday, with white people accounting for the vast majority of the deaths. From 2003 to 2023, death rates from falls rose more than 70% for adults ages 65 to 74, the report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. The rate increased more than 75% for people 75 to 84, and more than doubled for seniors 85 and older. 'Falls continue to be a public health problem worth paying attention to,' said Geoffrey Hoffman, a University of Michigan researcher who was not involved in the new report. 'It's curious that these rates keep rising.' The CDC researchers did not try to answer why death rates from falls are increasing. But experts say there may be a few reasons, like gradually improving our understanding of the the role falls play in deaths and more people living longer — to ages when falls are more likely to have deadly consequences. More than 41,000 retirement-age Americans died of falls in 2023, the most recent year for which final statistics based on death certificates are available. That suggests that falls were blamed in about 1 of every 56 deaths in older Americans that year. More than half of those 41,000 deaths were people 85 and older, the CDC found, and white people accounted for 87% of deaths in the oldest category. Falls can cause head injuries or broken bones that can lead to permanent disability and trigger a cascade of other health problems. A number of factors can contribute to falls, including changes in hearing and vision and medications that can cause light-headedness. Death rates varied widely from state to state. In 2023, Wisconsin had the highest death rates from falls, followed by Minnesota, Maine, Oklahoma and Vermont. Wisconsin's rate was more than five times higher than the rate of the lowest state, Alabama. Ice and wintry weather may partly explain why fatal falls were more common in states in the upper Midwest and New England, but experts also pointed to other things at play, like differences in how well falls are reported and to what extent they are labeled a cause of death. 'We've yet to unravel why you see such differences in state rates,' said Hoffman, who studies falls among the elderly. Researchers also can't yet explain why white seniors die of falls at higher rates than people in other racial and ethnic groups. In the 85-and-up age group, the death rate for white Americans is two or three times higher than any other group, while older Black people had the lowest fall-related death rate. 'Kind of a flip of the traditional disparity lens,' Hoffman said, referring to the fact that for most other rates of illness and injury, people of color are disproportionately affected. Staying active can help people avoid falls, experts say.
CNN
3 days ago
- Health
- CNN
Older adults in the US are increasingly dying from unintentional falls
Older U.S. adults are increasingly dying from unintentional falls, according to a new federal report published Wednesday, with white people accounting for the vast majority of the deaths. From 2003 to 2023, death rates from falls rose more than 70% for adults ages 65 to 74, the report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. The rate increased more than 75% for people 75 to 84, and more than doubled for seniors 85 and older. 'Falls continue to be a public health problem worth paying attention to,' said Geoffrey Hoffman, a University of Michigan researcher who was not involved in the new report. 'It's curious that these rates keep rising.' The CDC researchers did not try to answer why death rates from falls are increasing. But experts say there may be a few reasons, like gradually improving our understanding of the the role falls play in deaths and more people living longer — to ages when falls are more likely to have deadly consequences. More than 41,000 retirement-age Americans died of falls in 2023, the most recent year for which final statistics based on death certificates are available. That suggests that falls were blamed in about 1 of every 56 deaths in older Americans that year. More than half of those 41,000 deaths were people 85 and older, the CDC found, and white people accounted for 87% of deaths in the oldest category. Falls can cause head injuries or broken bones that can lead to permanent disability and trigger a cascade of other health problems. A number of factors can contribute to falls, including changes in hearing and vision and medications that can cause light-headedness. Death rates varied widely from state to state. In 2023, Wisconsin had the highest death rates from falls, followed by Minnesota, Maine, Oklahoma and Vermont. Wisconsin's rate was more than five times higher than the rate of the lowest state, Alabama. Ice and wintry weather may partly explain why fatal falls were more common in states in the upper Midwest and New England, but experts also pointed to other things at play, like differences in how well falls are reported and to what extent they are labeled a cause of death. 'We've yet to unravel why you see such differences in state rates,' said Hoffman, who studies falls among the elderly. Researchers also can't yet explain why white seniors die of falls at higher rates than people in other racial and ethnic groups. In the 85-and-up age group, the death rate for white Americans is two or three times higher than any other group, while older Black people had the lowest fall-related death rate. 'Kind of a flip of the traditional disparity lens,' Hoffman said, referring to the fact that for most other rates of illness and injury, people of color are disproportionately affected. Staying active can help people avoid falls, experts say.
