Epidemiological Characteristics of Falls from the National Injury Surveillance System - China, 2019-2022.

Introduction: This study describes and analyzes the distribution of fall cases documented in the National Injury Surveillance System (NISS) from 2019 to 2022.

Methods: Fall data from the NISS (2019-2022) were descriptively analyzed by gender and age.

Results: The NISS in China reported 2,324,577 fall cases from 2019 to 2022. Falls mostly happened at home (39.41%). Leisure activities (39.40%) were the most common cause of falls. Among these cases, 45.22% caused bruises, 31.57% lower limb injuries, while a substantial 73.41% constituted mild injuries. Age-related epidemiological patterns of falls revealed distinct trends. Among 0-9-year-olds, falls predominantly occurred at home (56.71%), with high head injury rates, particularly in infants (72.64%). Adolescents (10-19 years old) were prone to falls in school and school-related areas (37.12%) and during sports activities (27.37%). Elderly individuals (>60 years old) experienced higher fracture rates (36.84%) and an age-dependent increase in head injuries and severe harm.

Conclusions: Falls are the most prevalent injury category, exhibiting distinct characteristics across age groups. To address this, tailored public health strategies and interventions are essential, particularly for children, adolescents, and adults aged 60 years and older. Effective early prevention and intervention methods are paramount for these high-risk fall populations.