According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention falls are the leading cause of injury death in older adults and are the most common cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital admissions for trauma. Due to falls, one out of three adults age 65+ fall each year, often sustaining a hip fracture and hospitalized. More than 18,000 older Americans die each year.

To launch the Fall Prevention Awareness Series, hear what Dr. Michael Merzenich has to say about fall prevention in this 3 minute video.
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More data on falls and hip fractures among older adults. Learn more >>

There are many distinct causes for falls in older adults. Falls could be linked to a person's medical problem – such as a chronic disease – or a person's physical condition – such as muscle weakness and poor balance or gait. Other causes could be safety hazards in a person's everyday environment or the side effect of a medication that could cause a person to lose his/her balance. Learn more about these risk factors to prevent future falls. Read more >>

A recent study shows that the risk factors for indoor falls differ from those for outdoor falls. Read more >>

Can exaggerated anxiety about falling increase the probability that you'll actually fall? Read more >>

A study explores the relationship between quality of life and the risk factors of falls in older adults. Read more >>