Unintentional falls have become a rising cause of death among older Americans, but the impact is not evenly felt across racial lines. According to a new federal report, white seniors account for the vast majority of fatal falls, with 87% of deaths in the oldest group—those 85 and older. From 2003 to 2023, the death rate from falls soared by more than 70% for adults ages 65 to 74. For seniors between 75 and 84, the increase exceeded 75%, and deaths more than doubled for those over 85.
Last year alone, more than 41,000 older Americans died from falls—roughly one in every 56 deaths in this age group. Experts point to multiple factors behind the surge: more Americans are living longer, aging into periods of frailty when falls become deadlier. Yet, the racial disparity remains a puzzle. Researchers describe the trend as “a flip of the traditional disparity lens.” For most health outcomes, people of color suffer disproportionately; in this case, older Black Americans have the lowest death rates from falls, while whites are two to three times more likely to die from them at age 85 and up.
States like Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Maine have the highest death rates, more than five times higher than the lowest state, Alabama. Ice and environmental hazards may explain some differences, but gaps in reporting and labeling also matter. Public health specialists urge seniors to stay active to avoid falls and related complications that can trigger long-term disability.
See: “Older adults are dying more from unintentional falls in the last 20 years” (June 18, 2025)
https://apnews.com/article/elderly-adults-falling-death-us-41d7acc0c038ff3d761fba9e00da3b71Unintentional falls have become a rising cause of death among older Americans, but the impact is not evenly felt across racial lines. According to a new federal report, white seniors account for the vast majority of fatal falls, with 87% of deaths in the oldest group—those 85 and older. From 2003 to 2023, the death rate from falls soared by more than 70% for adults ages 65 to 74. For seniors between 75 and 84, the increase exceeded 75%, and deaths more than doubled for those over 85.
Last year alone, more than 41,000 older Americans died from falls—roughly one in every 56 deaths in this age group. Experts point to multiple factors behind the surge: more Americans are living longer, aging into periods of frailty when falls become deadlier. Yet, the racial disparity remains a puzzle. Researchers describe the trend as “a flip of the traditional disparity lens.” For most health outcomes, people of color suffer disproportionately; in this case, older Black Americans have the lowest death rates from falls, while whites are two to three times more likely to die from them at age 85 and up.
States like Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Maine have the highest death rates, more than five times higher than the lowest state, Alabama. Ice and environmental hazards may explain some differences, but gaps in reporting and labeling also matter. Public health specialists urge seniors to stay active to avoid falls and related complications that can trigger long-term disability.
See: “Older adults are dying more from unintentional falls in the last 20 years” (June 18, 2025)
