Mixed: falls up, roads downUpdated 4 October 2026
Trend summary
- Unintentional injuries were the third leading cause of death in the US in 2025, with 184,265 deaths (NCHS provisional).
- Within that total the trends point in different directions: road deaths are falling, but fall deaths among older adults keep rising.
- The age-adjusted fall death rate for people aged 65+ rose 21% from 2018 to 2024, from 64.7 to 78.4 per 100,000 (CDC).
- More than 14 million older adults, about one in four, report a fall each year.
184,265unintentional injury deaths, 2025
+21%older-adult fall death rate, 2018–2024
78.4fall deaths per 100,000 aged 65+, 2024
1 in 4older adults fall each year
What the numbers show
The CDC calls falls the leading cause of injury death among adults aged 65 and over. A QuickStats note in MMWR on 24 September 2026 put the 2024 fall death rate at 74.8 per 100,000 for older men and 66.6 for older women, rising steeply with age and highest at 85+.
At the same time, the motor-vehicle part of the injury total is shrinking (see road trends). The net result is an injury burden that is shifting toward the home and toward old age.
What is driving it
An ageing population explains part of the rise but not all of it, because rates are rising, not just counts. Explanations under study include more people taking several medicines that can cause dizziness, more older people living alone, and changes in how falls are recorded on death certificates. Strength and balance training, a medicine review and simple home changes such as grab bars and better lighting have the strongest evidence for prevention.
Recent cases
- 24 September 2026: CDC publishes 2024 fall death rates by sex and age for adults 65 and over.
Press releases and official reports, 2023–2026
Five key releases a year for the last four years, newest first. Most are from federal agencies; a few news reports are included where they are the clearest public record of an event. Releases from 2007–2022 are in the expandable list after 2023.
2026
- 24 Sep 2026CDC MMWRQuickStats: Death Rates from Unintentional Falls Among Adults Aged ≥65 Years, by Sex and Age Group — United States, 2024
- 31 Aug 2026CDCCDC Launches New Overdose Prevention Data Channel
- 24 Jun 2026CPSCCPSC Report Highlights Persistent Risk of Childhood Drowning
- 13 May 2026NCHSU.S. Overdose Deaths Decrease for Third Consecutive Year in 2025
- 29 Jan 2026NCHSU.S. Life Expectancy Hits Record High as Drug Overdose Deaths Decline in 2024
2025
- 29 Jul 2025CPSCCPSC Anchor It! Campaign Marks 10 Years: Fewer Furniture Tip-Overs Lead to Safer American Households
- 18 Jun 2025NCHSUnintentional Fall Deaths in Adults Age 65 and Older: United States, 2023 (Data Brief No. 532)
- 4 Jun 2025CPSCCPSC Highlights the Safety of Older Americans During National Safety Month
- 14 May 2025NCHSU.S. Overdose Deaths Decrease Almost 27% in 2024
- 25 Feb 2025CDCCDC Reports Nearly 24% Decline in U.S. Drug Overdose Deaths
2024
- 19 Dec 2024NCHSNew Reports Confirm U.S. Life Expectancy Increased While Drug Overdose Deaths Decreased in 2023
- Dec 2024CPSCSenior Injuries and Deaths Associated with Consumer Products: 2024 Report (PDF)
- 6 Jun 2024CPSCCPSC New Drowning Report Shows Increase in Child Fatalities
- 15 May 2024NCHSU.S. Overdose Deaths Decrease in 2023, First Time Since 2018
- Feb 2024CPSCProduct Instability or Tip-Over Injuries and Fatalities Associated with Televisions, Furniture, and Appliances: 2023 Report (PDF)
2023
- 17 Oct 2023CPSCE-Scooter and E-Bike Injuries Soar: 2022 Injuries Increased Nearly 21%
- 1 Sep 2023CDC MMWRNonfatal and Fatal Falls Among Adults Aged ≥65 Years — United States, 2020–2021
- 8 Jun 2023CPSCCPSC Issues New Drowning Report with Child Fatalities; Reminder for Extra Water Safety Vigilance
- 18 May 2023NCHSProvisional Data Shows U.S. Drug Overdose Deaths Top 100,000 in 2022
- Mar 2023CPSCConsumer Product-Related Injuries and Deaths Among Adults 65 Years of Age and Older (PDF)
View 20 years of major injury press releases (2007–2026)80 more from 2007–2022, five a year, newest first
2022
- 22 Dec 2022NCHSDrug Overdose Deaths in the United States, 2001–2021
- 16 Dec 2022BLSNational Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in 2021
- 7 Sep 2022CPSCCPSC Approves New Federal Safety Standard for Magnets to Prevent Deaths and Serious Injuries from High-Powered Magnet Ingestion
- 11 May 2022NCHSU.S. Overdose Deaths In 2021 Increased Half as Much as in 2020 – But Are Still Up 15%
- 12 Apr 2022OSHASecretary Walsh joins Vice President Kamala Harris to announce first ever national emphasis program to protect workers from indoor and outdoor heat hazards
2021
- 30 Dec 2021NCHSDrug Overdose Deaths in the United States, 1999–2020
- 16 Dec 2021BLSNational Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in 2020
- 17 Nov 2021NCHSDrug Overdose Deaths in the U.S. Top 100,000 Annually
- 20 Sep 2021OSHAUS Department of Labor announces enhanced, expanded measures to protect workers from hazards of extreme heat, indoors and out
- 5 May 2021CPSCPeloton Recalls Tread+ Treadmills After One Child Died and More than 70 Incidents Reported
2020
- 22 Dec 2020NCHSDrug Overdose Deaths in the United States, 1999–2019
- 16 Dec 2020BLSNational Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in 2019
- 4 Nov 2020BLSEmployer-Reported Workplace Injuries and Illnesses – 2019
- 4 Mar 2020CPSCIKEA Recalls KULLEN 3-Drawer Chests Due to Tip-Over and Entrapment Hazards; Consumers Urged to Anchor Chests or Return for Refund
- 30 Jan 2020NCHSDrug Overdose Deaths in the United States, 1999–2018
2019
- 17 Dec 2019BLSNational Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in 2018
- 7 Nov 2019BLSEmployer-Reported Workplace Injuries and Illnesses – 2018
- 12 Apr 2019CPSCFisher-Price Recalls Rock ‘n Play Sleepers Due to Reports of Deaths
- 15 Mar 2019CDCEmergency Department Visits for Sports- and Recreation-Related Traumatic Brain Injuries Among Children — United States, 2010–2016
- 4 Jan 2019CDCDrug and Opioid-Involved Overdose Deaths — United States, 2013–2017
2018
- 18 Dec 2018BLSNational Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in 2017
- 29 Nov 2018NCHSDrug Overdose Deaths in the United States, 1999–2017
- 8 Nov 2018BLSEmployer-Reported Workplace Injuries and Illnesses – 2017
- 11 May 2018CDCDeaths from Falls Among Persons Aged ≥65 Years — United States, 2007–2016
- 6 Mar 2018CDCVital Signs: Trends in Emergency Department Visits for Suspected Opioid Overdoses — United States, July 2016–September 2017
2017
- Dec 2017NCHSDrug Overdose Deaths in the United States, 1999–2016
- 19 Dec 2017BLSNational Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in 2016
- 21 Nov 2017CPSCIKEA Reannounces Recall of MALM and Other Models of Chests and Dressers Due to Serious Tip-over Hazard; 8th Child Fatality Reported
- 9 Nov 2017BLSEmployer-Reported Workplace Injuries and Illnesses – 2016
- Feb 2017NCHSDrug Overdose Deaths in the United States, 1999–2015
2016
- 30 Dec 2016CDCIncreases in Drug and Opioid-Involved Overdose Deaths — United States, 2010–2015
- 16 Dec 2016BLSNational Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in 2015
- 22 Sep 2016CDCFalls are leading cause of injury and death in older Americans
- 28 Jun 2016CPSCFollowing an Additional Child Fatality, IKEA Recalls 29 Million MALM and Other Models of Chests and Dressers Due to Serious Tip-Over Hazard; Consumers Urged to Anchor Chests and Dressers or Return for Refund
- 15 Mar 2016CDCCDC Releases Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain
2015
- 29 Oct 2015BLSEmployer-Reported Workplace Injuries and Illnesses – 2014
- 17 Sep 2015BLSNational Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in 2014 (Preliminary Results)
- 7 Jul 2015CDCNew research reveals the trends and risk factors behind America’s growing heroin epidemic
- 29 May 2015CDCOccupational Fatalities During the Oil and Gas Boom — United States, 2003–2013
- Mar 2015NCHSDrug-poisoning Deaths Involving Heroin: United States, 2000–2013
2014
- 4 Dec 2014BLSEmployer-Reported Workplace Injuries and Illnesses – 2013
- 3 Oct 2014CDCIncreases in Heroin Overdose Deaths — 28 States, 2010 to 2012
- Sep 2014NCHSDrug-poisoning Deaths Involving Opioid Analgesics: United States, 1999–2011
- 11 Sep 2014BLSNational Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in 2013 (Preliminary Results)
- 1 Jul 2014CDCOpioid painkiller prescribing varies widely among states
2013
- 7 Nov 2013BLSWorkplace Injuries and Illnesses – 2012
- 22 Aug 2013BLSNational Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in 2012 (Preliminary Results)
- 2 Jul 2013CDCDeaths from Prescription Painkiller Overdoses Rise Sharply Among Women
- 7 Jun 2013CDCHeat-Related Deaths After an Extreme Heat Event — Four States, 2012, and United States, 1999–2009
- 22 May 2013CPSCA Call to Action From CPSC: Teach All Children How To Swim and Put a Fence Around All Pools
2012
- 20 Sep 2012BLSNational Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in 2011 (Preliminary Results)
- 15 Aug 2012CPSCBaby Seats Recalled for Repair by Bumbo International Due to Fall Hazard
- 24 May 2012CPSCNew CPSC Data Show Child Drownings In Pools and Spas Still A Leading Cause of Death
- 18 May 2012CDCDrowning — United States, 2005–2009
- 16 Apr 2012CDCVital Signs: Unintentional Injury Deaths Among Persons Aged 0–19 Years — United States, 2000–2009
2011
- Dec 2011NCHSDrug Poisoning Deaths in the United States, 1980–2008
- 1 Nov 2011CDCPrescription painkiller overdoses at epidemic levels
- 20 Oct 2011BLSWorkplace Injuries and Illnesses – 2010
- 7 Oct 2011CDCNonfatal Traumatic Brain Injuries Related to Sports and Recreation Activities Among Persons Aged ≤19 Years — United States, 2001–2009
- 25 Aug 2011BLSNational Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in 2010 (Preliminary Results)
2010
- 21 Oct 2010BLSWorkplace Injuries and Illnesses – 2009
- 20 Aug 2010CDCHeat Illness Among High School Athletes — United States, 2005–2009
- 19 Aug 2010BLSNational Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in 2009 (Preliminary Results)
- 18 Jun 2010CDCEmergency Department Visits Involving Nonmedical Use of Selected Prescription Drugs — United States, 2004–2008
- 27 May 2010CPSCBuckyballs® High Powered Magnets Sets Recalled by Maxfield and Oberton Due to Violation of Federal Toy Standard
2009
- 23 Nov 2009CPSCInfant Entrapment and Suffocation Prompts Stork Craft to Recall More Than 2.1 Million Drop-Side Cribs
- 30 Oct 2009CDCOverdose Deaths Involving Prescription Opioids Among Medicaid Enrollees — Washington, 2004–2007
- Sep 2009NCHSIncrease in Fatal Poisonings Involving Opioid Analgesics in the United States, 1999–2006
- 20 Aug 2009BLSNational Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in 2008
- 14 Apr 2009CPSCMega Brands America To Pay $1.1 Million Civil Penalty For Reporting Violations With Popular Magnetic Building Sets
2008
- 23 Oct 2008BLSWorkplace Injuries and Illnesses in 2007
- 20 Aug 2008BLSNational Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in 2007
- 23 Jun 2008CDCTraumatic Brain Injuries Can Result From Senior Falls
- 20 Jun 2008CDCHeat-Related Deaths Among Crop Workers — United States, 1992–2006
- 7 Mar 2008CDCSelf-Reported Falls and Fall-Related Injuries Among Persons Aged ≥65 Years — United States, 2006
2007
- 7 Nov 2007CPSCSpin Master Recalls Aqua Dots – Children Became Unconscious After Swallowing Beads
- 21 Sep 2007CPSCAbout 1 Million Simplicity Cribs Recalled Due To Failures Resulting in Infant Deaths
- 9 Aug 2007BLSNational Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in 2006
- 27 Jul 2007CDCNonfatal Traumatic Brain Injuries from Sports and Recreation Activities — United States, 2001–2005
- 9 Feb 2007CDCUnintentional Poisoning Deaths — United States, 1999–2004
Photo list
How this page is built. Figures come from the official statistical releases linked above; where agencies publish preliminary numbers we say so, because they are revised. Photos are public-domain or Creative Commons images credited in each caption; file photos are illustrative and are not from the events described unless the caption says so. This page tracks trends and is not personal safety, medical, legal or financial advice.