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 hospitalizations were to individuals age 65 and older. Nearly 75% of patients were female.

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, 2016
• Injury Prevention Brief: Preventing Falls - Tai Chi Moving for Better Balance, 2014
• Preventing Falls, 2012
• Fall-related Injuries among Older Adults & Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance, 2010
• 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

• July 28, 2015

Older Adult Falls Prevention Committee

2014 Meeting Schedule

• September 15, 2014
• January 16, 2014

2013 Meeting Schedule

• July 24, 2013 - 10:30 a.m., OSDH Room 507 

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
• Home Safety is Bone Safety - American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
• 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
• 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