Fall Prevention Statistics
Updated:
Open Access
Falls are a leading cause of injury for adults aged 65 and older age group in the United States. Data show that 27.8% of those aged 65+ reported a fall in 2023. That means nearly one in three older adults experienced a fall that year.
Each fall can lead to hip fractures, head injuries, or long hospital stays, often reducing mobility and independence among older people. CDC estimates that health care costs from fall injuries exceed $80 billion each year. These costs continue to grow as the population ages.
Key Insights
Nearly one in three adults aged 65 and older reported a fall in 2023, making falls one of the leading causes of injury among older Americans.
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In 2023, the CDC recorded 41,400 deaths from unintentional falls among adults aged 65 and older, with death rates increasing sharply with age.
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About 3 million older adults are treated in emergency departments each year for serious injuries such as hip fractures, broken bones, and head injuries.
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Nonfatal injuries from falls among older adults cost the U.S. health care system about $80 billion annually, with Medicare covering the largest share of expenses.
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The most common risk factors for falls include physical weakness, unsafe home environments, and medication side effects, many of which can be reduced through prevention and early intervention.
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How Common Are Falls Among Older Adults? (Prevalence & Incidence)
The number of falls increases steadily with age. In 2023, the CDC recorded 41,400 deaths from unintentional falls among adults aged 65 and older. This equals 69.9 deaths per 100,000 people in this group.
The rate increases with each decade of life. Adults aged 65 to 74 had a rate of 19.2 deaths per 100,000, rising to 74.7 for those aged 75 to 84 and 339.5 among adults 85 and older.
Men and women show different patterns in fall-related deaths. In 2023, women had a rate of 66.3 deaths per 100,000, while men had 74.2. Men accounted for 48% of total fall deaths, even though women make up a larger share of the older population.
Emergency Department Visits & Hospitalizations
About 36 million older adults fall each year in the U.S., leading to roughly 32,000 deaths. Of these, roughly 3 million are treated in emergency departments for fall-related injuries such as hip fractures, broken bones, and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) caused by head impacts.
Among older adults discharged after an emergency visit, one-third experience complications within three months, often requiring additional medical treatment. These outcomes increase morbidity and add pressure to the health care system. Strong public health and fall prevention programs can help limit these effects.
Fall-Related Deaths and Trends
Fall-related deaths among older adults vary sharply by race, ethnicity, and state, revealing broad disparities in outcomes nationwide. Here are the key patterns seen across demographic groups and states.
Death Rates by Race and Ethnicity
Fall rates increase with age across all racial and ethnic groups. Here are the rates by race and Hispanic origin among adults aged 65 and older:
- White non-Hispanic adults had the highest death rate at 81.9 per 100,000, making this group the most affected by fall-related deaths.
- American Indian and Alaska Native adults followed with a rate of 50.2 per 100,000, which was also above the national average.
- Asian adults recorded a rate of 39.3 per 100,000, showing lower fall-related death rates compared with other groups.
- Hispanic adults had a rate of 37.6 per 100,000, which was similar to the rate among Asian adults.
- Black non-Hispanic adults had the lowest rate at 29.3 per 100,000, the lowest among all reported groups.
Across every group, deaths were lowest for ages 65-74 and highest for those 85 and older.
Geographic Differences
In 2023, fall-related death rates among older adults showed large differences by state. Below are the highest and lowest reported rates.
- Wisconsin recorded the highest rate at 158.4 deaths per 100,000, followed by Minnesota (132.6), Maine (126.5), Oklahoma (122.2), and Vermont (120.9).
- At the lower end, Alabama had the lowest rate at 29.5 deaths per 100,000, while New Jersey (34.6), California (40.0), Louisiana (45.6), and Georgia (45.9) also reported relatively low rates.
The Hidden Costs of Fall: Health Care Spending & Medicare Impact
Falls create a growing financial strain on the U.S. health care system. In 2020, nonfatal falls among older adults cost about $80 billion, with most expenses paid by Medicare. The CDC projects total costs for fall-related injuries will exceed $100 billion by 2030.
Hospital treatment is one of the main drivers of these expenses. The average inpatient stay for a fall injury costs $18,658, while an emergency department visit averages $1,112. Many older adults also need follow-up care or rehabilitation, adding to overall costs.
The CDC estimates the total cost of fatal and nonfatal falls exceeds $50 billion each year. Medicare covers about $28.9 billion, followed by Medicaid at $8.7 billion and private insurers at $12 billion. These numbers show how fall injuries raise medical spending across all payers.
Key Fall Risk Factors Among Older Adults
Factors that increase the risk of falling for adults aged 65 and older fall into three main categories:
- Intrinsic factors involve physical or medical conditions. These include muscle weakness, poor balance, vision problems, and chronic health problems such as heart disease or diabetes. They can limit movement and coordination, increasing the likelihood of a fall.
- Extrinsic factors come from the environment. Unsafe flooring, poor lighting, clutter, and the lack of grab bars at home or in care settings are common hazards that contribute to falls.
- Behavioral factors are linked to daily habits. The fear of falling often leads to inactivity, which weakens balance over time. Medication side effects, including dizziness or drowsiness, and low vitamin D levels also increase risk.
Many of these risks can be reduced through early prevention strategies. Health care providers and caregivers can identify fall risks, review medications, suggest exercises, and make homes safer.
The CDC’s STEADI initiative (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries) offers an evidence-based approach to fall prevention. It helps providers assess risk, educate older adults, and connect them with community programs that reduce injuries and support independence.
Technology and Innovation in Fall Detection
Technology now plays a key role in fall prevention and injury response. Modern medical alert systems use wearable devices, sensors, and home monitoring tools to detect falls and connect users with emergency help. These systems allow older adults to live independently while keeping caregivers informed and ready to respond.
Because these tools alert responders within seconds, they are an evidence-based way to reduce injury risk and improve outcomes after a fall.
Below is a comparison of three leading medical alert system providers that offer fall detection features.
| Provider | Key Features | Pricing & Plans | Best For |
| Medical Guardian | Five in-home and mobile systems, smartwatch option, GPS tracking, and Care Circle alerts. | $27.95-$42.95 per month. No activation or shipping fees. Fall detection costs $10/month extra. | Active seniors who travel often and prefer mobile coverage. |
| Personal Living Alert | Five in-home and mobile systems, up to 2,000 sq. ft. range, 60-hour backup battery, and anti-wandering service. | $22.90-$55 per month. Optional add-ons for smartwatches and fall detection. | Tech-savvy adults or frequent travelers who want hospital-grade reliability. |
| ADT Medical Alert | ForeveRate™ price guarantee, temperature monitoring, in-home and on-the-go systems, 24/7 emergency response. | $31.99-$41.99 per month. $99 activation fee, optional fall detection for $11/month. | Budget-conscious users who want stable pricing and trusted monitoring. |
For more details or to compare these providers side by side, visit our best medical alert systems guide.
Bottom Line
Falls remain one of the leading causes of injury and death among adults aged 65 and older. In 2023, nearly one in three older adults reported a fall, resulting in 41,400 deaths and over $80 billion in health care costs.
With rates increasing sharply with age, early prevention, safe home environments, and medical alert technologies are essential to reduce injuries and protect older adults’ independence.
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Sources
- America’s Health Rankings – Falls: Age 65+ in United States (Evaluated 16 October 2025)
- BMJ Injury Prevention – Healthcare Spending for Non-Fatal Falls Among Older Adults, USA (Evaluated 16 October 2025)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Unintentional Fall Deaths in Adults Age 65 and Older: United States, 2023 (Evaluated 16 October 2025)
- PubMed – Older Adult Falls in Emergency Medicine, 2023 Update (Evaluated 16 October 2025)
- PubMed – Medical Costs of Fatal and Nonfatal Falls in Older Adults (Evaluated 16 October 2025)
- PubMed – Healthcare Spending for Non-Fatal Falls Among Older Adults, USA (Evaluated 16 October 2025)