@article{ref1,
title="An explanation for the recent increase in the fall death rate among older americans: a subgroup analysis",
journal="Public health reports (1974)",
year="2012",
author="Hu, Guoqing and Baker, Susan Pardee",
volume="127",
number="3",
pages="275-281",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: We sought to explain the recent increase in the death rate from falls among Americans aged 65 years and older. METHODS: Using the CDC WONDER online database, a longitudinal analysis of subgroups of fall mortality based on the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) was conducted in older adults and in younger people. We used linear regression to examine the statistical significance of trends in mortality rates during 1999-2007. RESULTS: The overall mortality rate from falls increased by 55% among older Americans (≥65 years of age) during 1999-2007, from 29 per 100,000 population to 45 per 100,000 population. For those aged ≥65 years, the largest increase by far (698%) occurred in the subgroup &quot;other falls on the same level,&quot; followed by a moderate increase in falls involving wheelchairs or furniture (48%). The steepest increases at all ages occurred from 1999 to 2000, after ICD-10 took effect. State-level analysis confirmed the findings for the entire United States. From 1999 to 2007, total mortality from falls decreased by 5% in people younger than 45 years of age and increased by 44% for those aged 45-64 years; mortality from &quot;other falls on the same level&quot; increased by 202% and 431%, respectively, in these age groups. CONCLUSIONS: Because the reported minor increases in emergency department and hospitalization rates for falls were insignificant, the almost sevenfold increase in death rates from &quot;other falls on the same level&quot; strongly suggests an effect of improved reporting quality.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0033-3549",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}