Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
MMWR / March 6, 2020 / Vol. 69 / No. 9 227
US Department of Health and Human Services/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
TABLE 1. Number* and rate
†
of traumatic brain injury–related deaths caused
by unintentional falls — United States, 2008–2017
§
Year No. of deaths Rate (95% CI)
2008 12,311 3.86 (3.80–3.93)
2009 12,804 3.94 (3.87–4.01)
2010 13,386 4.05 (3.98–4.12)
2011 13,632 4.02 (3.95–4.09)
2012 14,272 4.12 (4.05–4.19)
2013 15,064 4.26 (4.19–4.33)
2014 15,918 4.40 (4.33–4.47)
2015 16,258 4.42 (4.35–4.49)
2016 16,694 4.44 (4.37–4.51)
2017 17,408 4.52 (4.45–4.59)
Abbreviation: CI=confidence interval.
* Numbers exclude decedents with unknown age.
†
Deaths per 100,000 population, age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard
population; decedents with unknown age were excluded.
§
Based on multiple-cause-of-death data from the National Center for Health
Statistics (NCHS) Vital Statistics System (https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/
deaths.htm) and NCHS Bridged-Race Population data (https://www.cdc.gov/
nchs/nvss/bridged_race.htm).
in 49 of 51 jurisdictions (50 states and DC), and correspond-
ing age-adjusted rates increased in 45 of these 49 jurisdic-
tions (Supplementary Table, https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/
cdc/85245). The largest AAPCs in rates of fall-related TBI
deaths occurred in Maine (6.5%), South Dakota (6.1%), and
Oklahoma (5.2%). A significant increase in rates occurred
in 29 states (Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut,
Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland,
Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada,
New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon,
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota,
Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin). The remaining
21 states and DC experienced no significant change in rates.
During 2017, national rates of fall-related TBI death were
highest among persons aged ≥75 years (54.08 per 100,000)
and males (6.31) (Table 2). Notably, the rate among persons
aged ≥75 years was approximately eight times higher than that
among those aged 55–74 years (6.24), and the rate among
males was nearly double that of females (3.17). For the period
2008 to 2017, significantly increasing rate trends in fall-related
TBI deaths were identified for both males and females, persons
aged ≥55 years, non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic blacks,
and Hispanics, and across all levels of urbanization. The
largest modeled rate increases occurred among persons living
in noncore nonmetropolitan counties (AAPC=2.9%) and
those aged ≥75 years (AAPC=2.6%). The only significantly
decreasing national rate trend identified was for persons aged
0–17 years (AAPC=−4.3%).
Discussion
Nationally, nearly 17,500 fall-related TBI deaths occurred
during 2017, and state-specific age-adjusted rates ranged from
Summary
What is already known about this topic?
Falls can cause serious injuries, including a traumatic brain
injury (TBI). Unintentional falls represent the second leading
cause of TBI-related death.
What is added by this report?
The national age-adjusted rate of fall-related TBI deaths
increased by 17% from 2008 to 2017; rates increased signifi-
cantly in 29 states and among nearly all groups, most notably
persons living in noncore nonmetropolitan counties and those
aged ≥75 years.
What are the implications for public health practice?
Health care providers can educate patients about falls and TBIs,
assess fall risk, and encourage participation in evidence-based
fall prevention programs. Annual wellness visits might serve as
a time to review previously assessed fall risk factors and update
personalized prevention plans.
2.25 (Alabama) to 9.09 (South Dakota). The rate of this health
event significantly increased during 2008–2017 in 29 states,
and the national rate increased by 17%. This increase in the
national rate of fall-related TBI deaths is consistent with find-
ings from a recent CDC surveillance report that estimated a
22% increase in this health event during 2006–2014.
††
Variations in the rate of fall-related TBI deaths among states
might have partially resulted from urban and rural differences
in the risk of traumatic injury mortality (3). U.S. rural regions
experience a higher rate of TBI-related mortality (4), and het-
erogeneity in the availability and accessibility of resources (e.g.,
access to high-level trauma centers and rehabilitative services)
can result in disparities in post-injury outcomes (5). Over
the 10-year study period, noncore, nonmetropolitan counties
experienced the most rapidly increasing rates. These results are
consistent with previous findings of higher TBI-related mor-
tality rates among nonmetropolitan counties compared with
those in metropolitan counties across the United States (4).
During 2017, the rate of fall-related TBI deaths was higher
among males; this finding might result from circumstances
of the falls, such as a higher proportion of men falling from
heights (e.g., ladders) (6) leading to moderate or severe injuries,
including a TBI. The highest rate of fall-related TBI deaths
in 2017 was among adults aged ≥75 years, and over the study
period, this group experienced the largest increase in rates
among all age groups, consistent with older age being a major
risk factor for falls (7). CDC’s Stopping Elderly Accidents,
Deaths, & Injuries (STEADI)
§§
initiative can aid health care
providers in screening older patients for risk for falls, assessing
††
https://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/data/tbi-deaths.html.
§§
https://www.cdc.gov/steadi/.