TRENDS IN FATAL AND NONFATAL INJURIES AMONG OLDER AMERICANS, 2004–2015. (11th November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xu, D; Drew, J
• Is Part Of: Innovation in aging. Volume 2(2018)Supplement 1
• Page Start: 522
• Page End: 522
• Publication Date: 2018-11-11
• Subjects: Aging -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Periodicals; 612.67
• DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igy023.1930
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2399-5300

Abstract

Abstract: The objectives were (1) to provide annual estimates of fatal and nonfatal injury incidence rates for older adults for the 2004–2015 period, (2) to determine whether observed incidence trends differ by characteristics of the injury: fatal or nonfatal, due to a fall or another cause, and whether the nonfatal injury was minor or serious. We used data covering the time period from three leading sources of information about injuries: National Vital Statistics System (NVSS), National Electronic Injury Surveillance System-All Injury Program (NEISS-AIP), and National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). Our results showed a clear increase in the fatal injury incidence rate among older adults, mainly attributable to fall-related death. Estimates using data from the NEISS-AIP and NHIS gave substantively consistent results for trends in the overall rate of nonfatal injury incidence, which significantly increased over the past decade. Fall-related nonfatal injuries, like fall-related fatal injuries, increased considerably over the past decade. In contrast, the trend in other-cause-related injury incidence was fairly stable. Further analyses indicate that the observed increase in nonfatal injuries was dominated by an increase in minor injuries that were treated in a doctor's office, or via a call to a medical professional. Our findings suggest that efforts to prevent injuries, particularly fall-related injuries, should continue to be priorities. Extra efforts also need to focus on nonfatal injuries where treatment was not sought in an ER or hospital among older adults, which have long-lasting impacts on health and medical care utilization and are often overlooked in intervention programs.