Mortality from falls in Mexico, 1979–2008

Abstract

IntroductionFalls are event that would occur in everyone, although the most affect are the children and the elderly, and represent a high healthcare costs.ObjectiveTo describe falls mortality trends in Mexico from 1979 to 2007.MethodologyMortalities and trends were estimated for the study period from Mexicos official data based on the International Classification of Diseases. Injuries code includes were E880 to E889 (ICD-9) and W00 to W19 (ICD-10). Results were analysed by age group, sex and year registered, as well as by state and size of city or town of residence.ResultsFrom 1979 to 2008 we count 52 072 deaths from falls, of which 77.7% were men. The group of age with the highest mortality was the 80 years old and older. The place where falls occur in a third of deaths is residential institution/home. The states that show the higher rates of mortality from falls in the last period of time (2006–2008) are Aguascalientes, Jalisco and Queretaro.ConclusionsFalls are deathly events that predominantly affect the men and the elderly. In general, the trend shows a consistent mortality decrease interrupted by a rise in 1998, a year that introduced the ICD-10 in Mexico. Since the population in Mexico is ageing, the absolute number of deaths by this cause will increase.