What is a fall?

A fall is defined as an event which results in a person coming to rest inadvertently on the ground or floor or other lower level. Fall-related injuries may be fatal or non-fatal though most are non-fatal. (WHO, 2024)

About falls

Anyone can have a fall, but it's more likely if you're older or have mobility problems. Making changes to prevent falls can help you avoid injuries and keep your confidence and independence. (NHS, 2025)

The UK falls statistics reveal a significant concern for older people's health and wellbeing. Falls are the most frequently reported incident affecting hospital inpatients, with falls being the most common cause of injury-related deaths in people over the age of 75. (Gov UK, 2021) Other key statistics include:

  • Over 5,000 older people died in 2017 due to falls, a 70% increase from 2010. (BGS, 2020)
  • Women account for more than two-thirds of hip fractures, with older women being significantly more likely to say falling was a concern compared to older men. (BGS, 2022)
  • 4.3 million (36%) of older people aged 65+ reported falling as a top concern. (BGS, 2022)
  • One third of those older than 65 and half of those older than 80 fall at least once a year. (NAIF, 2024)

These statistics highlight the importance of falls prevention and management as a critical global challenge.

Although falls can occur at any age, they become increasingly common as people get older. Around a third of people aged 65 and over, and around a half of people aged 80 and over, fall at least once a year. The impact of falls, especially in people aged 65 and over, includes distress, pain, injury including fractures, loss of confidence, loss of independence, and mortality. The consequences of fractures are significant, with a 1‑year mortality rate of 31% after a hip fracture.

Between 2019 and 2020, there were around 234,800 emergency hospital admissions in England related to falls among people aged 65 and over. Around 157,370 (67%) of these admissions were among people aged 80 and over.

Risk factors

There are a large number of risk factors for falls, including:

  • A history of falls
  • Lower levels of strength because of a decline in muscle mass
  • Impaired balance because of declines and changes in sensory systems, the nervous system, and muscles
  • Polypharmacy and the use of psychotropic and antiarrhythmic medicines
  • Visual impairment
  • Environmental hazards
  • Frailty.

There is an increased risk of falling among some people under 65, including those with underlying conditions such as Parkinson's Disease and Diabetes. This updated guideline reviews methods of identifying people aged 50 to 64 who are at risk of falls in all settings (including homes and social care settings) and would benefit from preventative measures. (NICE, 2025)

  • Falls are the second leading cause of unintentional injury deaths worldwide
  • Each year an estimated 684,000 individuals die from falls globally of which over 80% are in low- and middle-income countries
  • Adults older than 60 years of age suffer the greatest number of fatal falls
  • 37.3 million falls that are severe enough to require medical attention occur each year
  • Prevention strategies should emphasize education, training, creating safer environments, prioritising fall-related research and establishing effective policies to reduce risk.

Working collaboratively to reduce falls

County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust aims to work collaboratively to reduce the number of falls and falls with harm.