VALHALLA, N.Y. (October 15, 2024) - A study by researchers at Westchester Medical Center published recently in the journal Trauma Surgery and Acute Care Open has uncovered a significant public health concern: the economic burden of fatal falls now surpasses that of fatal firearm injuries.
Led by Bardiya Zangbar, MD, a trauma surgeon at Westchester Medical Center who served as the study’s principal investigator, the research highlights the urgent need for enhanced fall prevention strategies, especially as the population ages.
Key Study Findings:
- Medical Costs: The study found that from 2015 to 2020, the medical costs associated with fatal falls were significantly higher across all age groups compared to fatal firearm injuries.
- Combined Costs: While the overall combined costs (medical costs plus the value of statistical life) were higher for fatal firearm injuries, the combined costs for fatal falls in individuals aged 45-85+ exceeded those of firearm injuries after 2019.
- Rising Trend: The percentage of fatal falls increased significantly in all age ranges from 2015 to 2019, with a notable rise in patients over 65 after 2019. The annual percent change for fatal falls increased from 2.81% before 2019 to 6.95% after 2019.
The increased costs associated with fall-related injuries is due in large part to the duration of inpatient stay for the injured individual.
At Westchester Medical Center, the flagship of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth) and the only Level I adult and pediatric trauma center in the Hudson Valley, falls have been the most common cause of injury-related hospitalizations for almost 20 years, accounting for more than 40 percent of all trauma admissions. As the leading cause of admissions to the trauma center, falls make up three times as many cases as the next leading cause.
“These findings underscore the growing socioeconomic burden of falls especially among older adults,” said Kartik Prabhakaran, MD, Section Chief, Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, Westchester Medical Center. “As our population continues to age, it is imperative that we implement effective fall prevention programs to mitigate these costs and improve the quality of life for our elderly citizens.”
An advocate for community health and wellness, the trauma care team at Westchester Medical Center is active in engaging with members of local communities to mitigate the risk of falls.
“Our goal is to equip the public with strategies, resources, and education to prevent falls,” said Dr. Zangbar. “We follow up with patients who have had fall-related injuries, partner with local organizations to provide educational resources, and host public workshops on fall prevention. By investing in education, home safety modifications, and regular health screenings, we can help reduce the incidence of fatal falls and alleviate the associated economic burden.”
About Westchester Medical Center Health Network
The Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth) is a 1,700-bed healthcare system headquartered in Valhalla, New York, with nine hospitals on seven campuses spanning 6,200 square miles of the Hudson Valley. WMCHealth employs more than 12,000 people and has nearly 3,000 attending physicians. The Network has Level I (adult and pediatric), Level II and Level III trauma centers, the region’s only acute care children’s hospital, an academic medical center, several community hospitals, dozens of specialized institutes and centers, Comprehensive and Primary Stroke Centers, skilled nursing facilities, home-care services and one of the largest mental health systems in New York State. Today, WMCHealth is the pre-eminent provider of integrated health care in the Hudson Valley. For more information about WMCHealth, visit WMCHealth.org or follow WMCHealth on Facebook.com/WMCHealth or Instagram.com/WMCHealth.