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HM Government Publications |
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HM Government Information on
Falls |
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Each year there are about 2.7
million accidents in the home which necessitate a visit to hospital. Of
these accidents almost 4,000 are fatal. By far the biggest cause of
these accidents are falls, which account for 40% of the non-fatal
injuries and 46% of all deaths.
Most deaths from falls involve the
older age groups with nearly 80% of the victims aged over 65 and only 5%
under the age of 40.
Every five hours an older person
is killed by an accidental fall in the home – this is the equivalent to
1,500 people dying every year. Over 300,000 pensioners are so seriously
injured by a fall in their home that they require hospital treatment. |
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In 1999 the DTI embarked on a three
year campaign involving publicity, research into falls and production
and distribution of a variety of resource materials to support those
active in the field of falls prevention. The campaign's slogan was
'Avoiding slips, trips and broken hips'.
Although the campaign has ended some of the information can still
be download here.  |
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Detailed figures are shown in this report but
it is clear that nearly 80% of the victims are aged over 65 and only 5%
are under the age of 40.
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The risks of falling amongst older people are well
documented. Injuries arising from falling result in significant costs to
health and social care services, and a loss of independence for the
older person.
The incidence of falls amongst
older people has long been a cause for international concern. This
report reviews the evidence for international intervention studies to
reduce falls in older people in Australia, the USA, Scandinavia and
other European countries. Recent UK examples are also included. |
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This report examines the incidences of hip fractures
in the UK. The report discusses the type of fractures that occur and why
hip fractures are particularly common in older people.
Demographics such as the ethnic
composition of the population, diet, fitness and smoking are also
weighed up in order to explore which sections of society are more at
risk.
Based on the amount of time that
people are required to spend in hospital, the report estimates the costs
of falls to these parties, using existing literature and findings.
By detailing the process involved
from fracture to complete rehabilitation, the report presents detailed
cost analysis on fractures of the hip. |
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 Accidental
falls in the home - Regional distribution of cases involving people over
65 in the UK
Regional statistics of accidental fall cases
involving people aged over 65 in the UK. The data provides an overview
of accidents and deaths from falls by age and sex; falls mechanism and
deaths/estimates of serious/minor accidents for 1995-97 by UK region. |
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Falls on stairs in the home involving older
people
Statistics associated with stairs usage: deaths
and non-fatal falls arising from stairs usage in the UK, 1996-98. |
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