Skip directly to search Skip directly to A to Z list Skip directly to navigation Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options
CDC Home

Injuries Among Older Adults

Injury and violence are a serious threat to the health and well-being of Americans ages 65 and older.  Older adults are at higher risk for many types of injuries that can lead to death or disability. Through research and a wide range of activities, CDC's Injury Center is working to protect older Americans from the threat of injury. Below is a directory of links to more information about the types of injury and violence that pose the greatest threat to older adults in the United States.

  • Elder Abuse / Maltreatment
    As the United States population grows older, more and more people become vulnerable and are dependant on others to meet their most basic needs. A study conducted in 1996 found that more than 500,000 persons age 60 years and older were the victims of abuse or neglect during a one-year period.
  • Falls Among Older Adults
    Falls are the leading cause of injury death for Americans 65 years and older. Each year, about 35% to 40% of adults 65 and older fall at least once.
  • Older Adult Drivers
    In the United States today, there are about 26 million licensed drivers ages 65 years and older. It is estimated that this number will increase to 40 million by the year 2020.
  • Residential Fire-Related Injuries 
    Adults ages 65 years and older are among those at highest risk for residential fire deaths and injuries.
  • Sexual Abuse Among Older Adults
    Too often, violence involves sexual acts that are forced upon individuals against their will. These acts can be physical (e.g. rape), verbal (e.g. harassment), or psychological (e.g. exhibitionism). Anyone can be a victim of sexual violence, even the elderly. Unfortunately, little is known about sexual abuse in persons over the age of 60.
  • Suicide Among Older Adults
    Suicide rates increase with age and are very high among those 65 years and older.
  • Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
    People age 75 and older are in one of the age groups at highest risk for TBI.

Related links

National Resource Center for Safe Aging Researchers, practitioners, older adults, caregivers, and family members can contact the center, search the online database, and request training and technical assistance.

Extramural Research:Motor Vehicle Crashes Among the Elderly: Short/Long Term

Facts About Concussion and Brain Injury and Where to Get Help

A Tool Kit to Prevent Senior Falls includes fact sheets, graphs, and brochures.

Contact Us:
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
    National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC)
    4770 Buford Hwy, NE
    MS F-63
    Atlanta, GA 30341-3717
  • 800-CDC-INFO
    (800-232-4636)
    TTY: (888) 232-6348
    24 Hours/Every Day
  • cdcinfo@cdc.gov
USA.gov: The U.S. Government's Official Web PortalDepartment of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention   1600 Clifton Rd. Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) TTY: (888) 232-6348, 24 Hours/Every Day - cdcinfo@cdc.gov

A-Z Index

  1. A
  2. B
  3. C
  4. D
  5. E
  6. F
  7. G
  8. H
  9. I
  10. J
  11. K
  12. L
  13. M
  14. N
  15. O
  16. P
  17. Q
  18. R
  19. S
  20. T
  21. U
  22. V
  23. W
  24. X
  25. Y
  26. Z
  27. #