Mosenthal et al identified a number of risk factors associated with traumatic falls. These can help identify methods to help prevent falls. The authors are from UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School in Newark.
Mortality increases:
(1) in the elderly
(2) with the height of the fall
|
Age of the Person |
Risk |
|
preschool (< 5 years of age) |
falls from windows, stairs, balconies and fire escapes at home; child abuse |
|
child |
falls related to play, child abuse, down stairs |
|
adult |
occupational (roofer, painter, carpenter, firefighter, construction, tree surgeon, longshoreman, etc.) |
|
adolescent and adult |
non-occupational (see below) |
|
elderly (> 64 years of age) |
falls in the home, including stairs |
|
elderly (> 64 years of age) |
falls associated with maintaining the home (cleaning gutters, repairing the roof, using a ladder) |
Risk factors for non-occupational falls in the adolescent or adult:
(1) intoxication (drug and/or alcohol)
(2) unemployment
(3) criminal or violent behavior
(4) suicide attempt
(5) escaping from a building on fire
(6) being male
|
Age of the Person |
Prevention |
|
preschool |
window guards, stair guards, parental education, recognition of child abuse |
|
child |
safe playgrounds, recognition of child abuse |
|
adult worker |
occupational safety equipment, safe work practices |
|
adolescent and adult non-worker |
mental health services, means to escape fire |
|
elderly in home falls |
installation of hand rails, modification of floor surfaces, improved lighting, education |
|
elderly |
assistance with household maintenance |
Specialty: Emergency Medicine, Critical Care
