A LOT OF PEOPLE JOKE ABOUT THE COMMERCIAL THAT SHOWS A WOMAN WHO'S "FALLEN AND CAN'T GET UP." BUT IT'S A SERIOUS PROBLEM IN NEW MEXICO. ROBIN SWIFT WITH THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT TELLS US THE DEATH RATE FROM FALLS AMONG THE ELDERLY IN THIS STATE IS HIGH. SENIORS ACCOUNTED FOR 245 OUT OF 300 FALL RELATED DEATHS IN 2012. THAT AMOUNTS TO 82 PERCENT OF THOSE DEATHS.
TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES ACCOUNTED FOR 21 PERCENT OF FALL RELATED DEATHS … AND HIP FRACTURES ACCOUNTED FOR 25 PERCENT OF THEM. SWIFT ALSO SAYS ABOUT 1-THOUSAND-110 SENIORS PER 100 THOUSAND POPULATION WERE HOSPITALIZED FROM FALLS IN 2011.
