Fatal injuries increase among older Americans: report

The rate of fatal injuries among people 65 and older is on the rise, suggests a new report from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health's Center for Injury Research and Policy in Baltimore.

According to a study abstract, the overall rate of injury deaths among older Americans increased 3 percent between 2000 and 2006, but more significant increases were seen in specific areas. The death rate from falls increased 42 percent, deaths attributable to machinery increased 46 percent and fatal motorcycle crashes increased 145 percent.

A decline was seen in the death rate from motor vehicle crashes, suffocation and suicide.

The study was published in the February issue of Injury Prevention.



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