A new CDC report reveals a sharp rise in fatal falls among older Americans, with white seniors disproportionately affected. From 2003 to 2023, death rates from unintentional falls surged more than 70% for adults aged 65 to 74, over 75% for those 75 to 84, and more than doubled for people 85 and older.
In 2023 alone, more than 41,000 retirement-age Americans died from falls—about one in every 56 deaths in that age group. More than half of those deaths occurred among people 85 and older, and 87% of those were white. “Kind of a flip of the traditional disparity lens,” said Geoffrey Hoffman, PhD, MPH, a University of Michigan researcher, noting that older Black adults had the lowest fall-related death rate.
The reasons behind this racial disparity remain unclear. Experts suggest that differences in how falls are reported and classified on death certificates may play a role. Geographic variation also stood out: Wisconsin had the highest fall-related death rate, more than five times that of Alabama, the lowest. Ice and wintry weather may contribute, but reporting practices and other unknown factors are likely involved.
Falls can lead to serious injuries like head trauma or broken bones, which often trigger a cascade of health complications. Age-related changes in vision, hearing, and medication side effects are common contributors. As the population ages, understanding why white seniors are dying at higher rates from falls could help shape more effective prevention strategies.
See: “Older Adults in the U.S. Are Increasingly Dying From Unintentional Falls” (June 19, 2025)
