Why Is This Important?

Falls are the leading cause of death due to injury among persons 65 years and older in New Jersey.

Definition

Deaths with a fall-related injury as the underlying cause of death. ICD-10 codes: W00-W19

Data Sources

• Death Certificate Database, Office of Vital Statistics and Registry, New Jersey Department of Health
  (https://www.nj.gov/health/vital/)
• Population Estimates, State Data Center, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development
  (https://www.nj.gov/labor/labormarketinformation/demographics/population-household-estimates/)
• Underlying Cause of Death, CDC WONDER On-line Database, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  (https://wonder.cdc.gov/Deaths-by-Underlying-Cause.html)

How the Measure is Calculated

How Are We Doing?

The fall-related death rate among persons aged 65 and over is increasing in both the U.S. and New Jersey. The rate among Whites is about double the rates among Blacks, Hispanics, and Asians and the rate among males is 1.4 times the rate among females.

How Do We Compare With the U.S.?

The U.S. death rate due to falls among persons aged 65 years and older is more than double the New Jersey rate.

What Is Being Done?

Each September, the New Jersey Department of Human Services' (NJDHS) Division of Aging Services and a statewide Fall Prevention Coalition coordinate [http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/doas/services/fallprev/ Fall Prevention Week] to promote awareness of the impact of falls and strategies for reducing risk. Efforts are also in place to provide people at risk for falls with opportunities to learn about prevention and practice healthy behaviors. In collaboration with community partners, the NJDHS Division of Aging Services is building statewide capacity for local delivery of evidence-based fall prevention programs such as A Matter of Balance and Project Healthy Bones. In addition, a one-hour curriculum on fall prevention is available for health educators to use for community education (training required).

Available Services

The NJ Department of Human Services' [http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/doas/services/ Division of Aging Services] offers numerous services and supports, including * A Matter of Balance * Project Healthy Bones * Fall Prevention

More Resources

CDC Older Adult Fall Prevention: [https://www.cdc.gov/falls/about/index.html] National Institute on Aging: [https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/topics/falls-and-falls-prevention]

Health Program Information

The NJDHS Division of Aging Services' [http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/doas/services/healthease/ HealthEASE] program includes program coordination, as well as physical activity, health education, and coordinated screening components designed specifically for adults over the age of sixty. Components and related programs include group exercise, fall prevention education, management of concerns about falling, and bone density testing.