Abstract
Objectives. Although risk factors for indoor falls among older individuals have been well studied, little is known about the etiology of outdoor falls. We examined risk factors for outdoor falls among middle-aged and older adults. Methods. We analyzed data on the most recent fall during the past year among participants aged 45 years and older in the control group (N=2193) of a case-control study of fractures. The study was conducted at 5 Northern California Kaiser Permanente Medical Centers between 1996 and 2001. Results. Falls occurred outdoors more often than indoors among most age groups. Study participants who reported more leisure-time physical activity had a higher risk for outdoor falls, and participants who were in poorer health had a greater risk for indoor falls. Most outdoor falls (73%) were precipitated by environmental factors, such as uneven surfaces and tripping or slipping on objects, and usually occurred on sidewalks, curbs, and streets. Walking (47.3%) was the most common fall-related activity. Conclusions. Outdoor falls among adults aged 45 years and older were frequently attributable to modifiable environmental factors. With the widespread promotion of active lifestyles among older people, improvements in their outdoor environment are urgently needed.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1192-1200 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | American Journal of Public Health |
| Volume | 96 |
| Issue number | 7 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jul 2006 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Cite this
Outdoor falls among middle-aged and older adults : A neglected public health problem. / Li, Wenjun; Keegan, Theresa H; Sternfeld, Barbara; Sidney, Stephen; Quesenberry, Charles P.; Kelsey, Jennifer L.
In: American Journal of Public Health, Vol. 96, No. 7, 07.2006, p. 1192-1200.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Outdoor falls among middle-aged and older adults
T2 - A neglected public health problem
AU - Li, Wenjun
AU - Keegan, Theresa H
AU - Sternfeld, Barbara
AU - Sidney, Stephen
AU - Quesenberry, Charles P.
AU - Kelsey, Jennifer L.
PY - 2006/7
Y1 - 2006/7
N2 - Objectives. Although risk factors for indoor falls among older individuals have been well studied, little is known about the etiology of outdoor falls. We examined risk factors for outdoor falls among middle-aged and older adults. Methods. We analyzed data on the most recent fall during the past year among participants aged 45 years and older in the control group (N=2193) of a case-control study of fractures. The study was conducted at 5 Northern California Kaiser Permanente Medical Centers between 1996 and 2001. Results. Falls occurred outdoors more often than indoors among most age groups. Study participants who reported more leisure-time physical activity had a higher risk for outdoor falls, and participants who were in poorer health had a greater risk for indoor falls. Most outdoor falls (73%) were precipitated by environmental factors, such as uneven surfaces and tripping or slipping on objects, and usually occurred on sidewalks, curbs, and streets. Walking (47.3%) was the most common fall-related activity. Conclusions. Outdoor falls among adults aged 45 years and older were frequently attributable to modifiable environmental factors. With the widespread promotion of active lifestyles among older people, improvements in their outdoor environment are urgently needed.
AB - Objectives. Although risk factors for indoor falls among older individuals have been well studied, little is known about the etiology of outdoor falls. We examined risk factors for outdoor falls among middle-aged and older adults. Methods. We analyzed data on the most recent fall during the past year among participants aged 45 years and older in the control group (N=2193) of a case-control study of fractures. The study was conducted at 5 Northern California Kaiser Permanente Medical Centers between 1996 and 2001. Results. Falls occurred outdoors more often than indoors among most age groups. Study participants who reported more leisure-time physical activity had a higher risk for outdoor falls, and participants who were in poorer health had a greater risk for indoor falls. Most outdoor falls (73%) were precipitated by environmental factors, such as uneven surfaces and tripping or slipping on objects, and usually occurred on sidewalks, curbs, and streets. Walking (47.3%) was the most common fall-related activity. Conclusions. Outdoor falls among adults aged 45 years and older were frequently attributable to modifiable environmental factors. With the widespread promotion of active lifestyles among older people, improvements in their outdoor environment are urgently needed.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33745677430&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=33745677430&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.2105/AJPH.2005.083055
DO - 10.2105/AJPH.2005.083055
M3 - Article
C2 - 16735616
AN - SCOPUS:33745677430
VL - 96
SP - 1192
EP - 1200
JO - American Journal of Public Health
JF - American Journal of Public Health
SN - 0090-0036
IS - 7
ER -