Falls Prevention

Falls among persons over age 65 are a growing public health problem both nationally and in Oklahoma. It is estimated that one-third of older adults fall each year. As an individual ages, the likelihood of experiencing a fall dramatically increases. In Oklahoma and the United States, falls are the leading cause of injury death among individuals aged 65 years and older. The most common fall-related injury resulting in hospitalization is hip fractures. 

In Oklahoma, the majority of fall-related traumatic brain injuries occurred among individuals between 75 and 89 years of age. Nearly 60% of patients were female. The median age of females was 82 years, and for males, it was 79 years.

More injuries occurred at home than any other location, particularly in bedrooms and bathrooms. Two-thirds of the injuries occurred during the morning and afternoon hours. The most common factors associated with the falls were slipping, tripping, and fainting.

Related Reports and Fact Sheets

• Injury Prevention Brief: Preventing Falls -- NEW!
• Fall-related Injuries among Older Adults & Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance
• Fall Prevention for Older Adults (Print Friendly PDF) (Spanish version)
• Injury Update
  • Falls among People 65 Years of Age and Older, Oklahoma, 2008-2009
  • Fall-related Traumatic Brain Injuries among Oklahomans 65 Years and Older, 2005
  • Traumatic Brain Injuries Resulting from Falls on Stairs/Steps in Oklahoma, 1992-2003
• Injuries in Oklahoma, 2004-2008
• Epidemiology of Falls and Fall-related Injuries among Persons 65 Years and Older, Oklahoma, 2006
• Profile of Fall-related Injuries in Oklahoma, 2003
• Injury Prevention Works: Strategies for Building Safe Communities — Unintentional Fall Injury
• Injury-Free Oklahoma 2010-2015: — Strategic Plan for Injury and Violence Prevention  Unintentional Falls

Older Adult Falls Prevention Coalition

2012 Meeting Schedule

• July 23, 2012 - 1:30 p.m., OSDH Room 507 (Minutes)

2011 Meeting Schedule

• October 26, 2011 - 10:00 a.m., OSDH Room 704 (Minutes)
• June 1, 2011 - 10:00 a.m., OSDH Room 1211
• April 19, 2011 - 10:00 a.m., OSDH Room 406.1 (Minutes)

Links to Related Sites

• Center for Healthy Aging
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
  • Focus on Preventing Falls
  • Preventing Falls among Older Adults
• Fall Prevention
• Fall Prevention Center of Excellence — Stop Falls
• Home Based Exercise
• National Conference of State Legislatures — Elderly Falls Prevention Legislation and Statutes 
• National Council on Aging — Improving the Lives of Older Americans
• Tai Chi at Oklahoma City-County Health Department (en Español)
• Tai Chi Reaches Out to Seniors
• Tai Chi Research
• World Health Organization — Falls Prevention in Older Age

Contact Information

Injury Prevention Service
Oklahoma State Department of Health
1000 NE 10th Street
Oklahoma City, OK  73117
(405) 271-3430
1-800-522-0204 (Toll-free in Oklahoma)