Falls prevention and management in WA

As the world’s population ages, falls and related injuries become more common, making their prevention and management a critical global challenge. Falls are one of the most frequently reported clinical incidents in the community setting and hospitals around the world and are associated with negative outcomes for patients and the healthcare system.

A fall is defined as “inadvertently coming to rest on the ground, floor or other lower level”. Falls can occur at any age, but the frequency of both falls and fall related injuries increases significantly with age and frailty(external site).

Many falls can be prevented, most successfully via multifactorial falls risk assessments, interventions and multidisciplinary management (external site).

Falls statistics

Globally

• 1 in 3 people aged 65 and older has a fall at least once a year
• 5% of these falls result in a fracture
• Over 684 000 people die each year from a fall
• 37.3 million falls are severe enough to require medical attention each year
• Detailed global statistics (external site)

Nationally

• Falls account for 43% of injury hospitalisations
• Falls represent 42% of injury deaths across the country
• Falls cost the Australian health care system over $4 billion each year

In Western Australia

• Falls account for 24% of injury hospitalisations
• Falls represent 35% of injury deaths in the state
• Falls contribute to 13% of emergency department visits due to an injury 
• Detailed global statistics (external site)