Unintentional falls mortality in China, 2006-2016

BACKGROUND: To examine trends in unintentional falls mortality from 2006 to 2016 in China by location (urban/rural), sex, age group and mechanism. METHODS: Mortality data were retrieved from the National Disease Surveillance Points system (DSPs) of China, a nationally representative data source. Percent change in mortality between 2006 and 2016 was calculated as “mortality rate ratio - 1” based on a negative binomial regression model. RESULTS: The crude unintentional falls mortality was 9.55 per 100 000 population in 2016. From 2006 to 2016, the age-adjusted unintentional falls mortality increased by 5% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1%-9%), rising from 7.65 to 8.03 per 100 000 population. Males, rural residents and older age groups consistently had higher falls mortality rates than females, urban residents and younger age groups. Falls on the same level from slipping, tripping and stumbling (W01) was the most common mechanisms of falls mortality, accounting for 29% of total mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Unintentional falls continued to be a major cause of death in China from 2006 to 2016. Empirically-supported interventions should be implemented to reduce unintentional falls mortality.