FALL PREVENTION

Falls are the most common preventable injury in Canada. According to Statistics Canada, 63% of seniors, 50% of adolescents and 35% of working-age adults have been injured by falls. Sports related activities are the main cause of injury by falls for adolescents. Older adults’ falls often result from tripping, stumbling or walking or doing household chores.

Falls also represent the most common cause of injury hospitalization and are the leading cause of injuries resulting in permanent partial disability (47%) and total permanent disability (50%). Falls represent $6.2 billion of total injury related costs in Canada in 2004. Falls are the second leading cause of unintentional injury deaths in Canada.