Falling | |
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Falling is a normal experience for young children, but falling from a significant height or onto a hard surface can be dangerous. | |
Complications | Head injury, concussion, bone fracture,[1] abrasion, bruise |
Risk factors | Convulsion, vision impairment, difficulty walking, home hazards[1] |
Frequency | 226 million (2015)[2] |
Deaths | 527,000 (2015)[3] |
Falling is the action of a person or animal losing stability and ending up in a lower position, often on the ground. It is the second-leading cause of accidental death worldwide and a major cause of personal injury, especially for the elderly.[4] Falls in older adults are a major class of preventable injuries. Construction workers, electricians, miners, and painters are occupations with high rates of fall injuries.
Long-term exercise appears to decrease the rate of falls in older people.[5] About 226 million cases of significant[clarification needed] accidental falls occurred in 2015.[2] These resulted in 527,000 deaths.[3]
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