At the end of September 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released data overviewing rates of death resulting from unintentional falls between the years of 1999–2020 by adults 65 years and older (Garnett et al, 2022). The report showed that death rates have increased, with the largest increase seen by those aged 85 years and older.

Reducing the number of deaths related to falls is an objective of Healthy People 2030 (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, n.d.). In last month’s CDC report (Garnett et al, 2022), the authors provide a link to additional resources and reports related to falls, which may be of interest to audiologists. Interested readers can access that information here on the CDC website.  

Around the same time that this CDC report was released, the American Academy of Audiology supported the Vestibular Disorders Association’s (VEDA) Balance Awareness Week. Find resources and details regarding the American Academy of Audiology’s support of Balance Awareness Week on our website.

References

American Academy of Audiology. (n.d.) Balance Awareness Week (accessed October 14, 2022).

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022) Older Adult Fall Prevention (accessed October 14, 2022).

Garnett M, Spencer M, Weeks J. (2022) QuickStats: death rates from unintentional falls among persons aged ≥65 years, by age group—National Vital Statistics System, United States, 1999–2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 71:1225.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.) Reduce Fall-Related Deaths Among Older Adults–IVP-08. Healthy People 2030 (accessed October 14, 2022).

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