Falls can be prevented: reminders from US data on older adults
US CDC statistics show that falls have a major impact on people aged over 65, but falling is not inevitable. Families and communities can address the environment, exercise and health checks to help reduce risks.
Machine translation of our Chinese article, without human translation review. Suggestions concerning China remain specific to China.
Chinese fact summaries and suggestions for China (not a full translation)
Original: About Older Adult Fall Prevention | Older Adult Fall Prevention | CDC · Original language: en
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Facts from the sources
Falls can be prevented and are not an inevitable consequence of ageing. View source
The US CDC defines older adults as people aged 65 or older. View source
In 2024, falls caused more than 43,000 deaths among US adults aged 65 or older and were the leading cause of injury deaths in this age group. View source
In 2024, US emergency departments recorded approximately 4.5 million fall-related visits by older adults. View source
There are proven methods to reduce and prevent falls among older adults. View source
The Falls Free Checkup questionnaire can help people understand their fall risk. View source
For older people and families
Falls can be prevented; do not consider them an inevitable part of getting older.
Keeping passageways and bathrooms dry and tidy can reduce opportunities for trips and slips.
If an older person has weak legs or frequent dizziness, accompany them to a doctor promptly.
Regular vision checks and well-fitting, slip-resistant shoes can help with steadier walking.
Do not keep an older person lying still all the time simply to prevent falls. Appropriate activity can be beneficial.
US CDC data show that falls are common, but they do not mean every older person will fall.
See what care and community teams can do
Communities can draw on US CDC fall-prevention approaches while following Chinese requirements and first assessing local needs.
Use professionally accepted tools for fall-risk screening rather than directly adopting questionnaires from abroad.
Assess the home environment on site. Ask professional organisations to verify load capacities, slip-resistance grades, dimensions and similar matters.
Before organising balance or strength classes, screen participants’ health and tailor activities to different abilities.
Use consistent statistical definitions when recording falls. Do not infer individual risk from population proportions.
When explaining the figures to families, state clearly that they are US statistics and do not describe China.
If an older person has an unusual gait or becomes drowsy after medication, recommend medical assessment rather than addressing only the environment.
What needs local assessment
All the data come from the US CDC, with webpage information current to September 2026. They reflect US circumstances, not Chinese policy or medical advice. Death and emergency-visit statistics do not establish an individual older person’s risk. Specific prevention methods must take account of personal health, housing and professional assessment. Consult a doctor about medicines, illnesses or rehabilitation, and use qualified professionals for on-site verification of home adaptations. Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The original materials are freely available on the CDC website. This site and its suggestions for China are not endorsed by the CDC, HHS or the US government. Their images and logos have not been reproduced.
Sources
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Was this article helpful?
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