Activity Intensity and Fall-Related Deaths Among Older Adults: Results from a 12-Year National Survey
2024

Activity Intensity and Fall-Related Deaths Among Older Adults

Sample size: 2454 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Adeyemi Oluwaseun, Chodosh Joshua

Primary Institution: New York University Grossman School of Medicine

Hypothesis

The study assesses the relationship between activity intensity and fall-related death among community-dwelling U.S. older adults.

Conclusion

Promoting higher physical activity levels may significantly reduce the risk of fall-related deaths among older adults.

Supporting Evidence

  • The study identified older adults (65 years and older) who sustained fall injuries.
  • The outcome variable was fall-related death.
  • Approximately 81% of the study population had low activity levels.
  • The proportion of the study population with low physical activity decreased from 90% to 67% between 2006 and 2017.
  • Low activity level was associated with two-fold increased odds of death.

Takeaway

Older people who don't move around much are more likely to die from falls, but getting them to be more active can help keep them safe.

Methodology

The study used a retrospective cohort design, pooling twelve years of survey data and performing survey-weighted logistic regression analysis.

Participant Demographics

The population was predominantly female (68%), non-Hispanic Whites (85%), and divorced/separated (54%).

Statistical Information

P-Value

2.11

Confidence Interval

1.59 – 2.81

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.4355

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