HHS HealthBeat (June 24, 2011)

The shower fall

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

There’s no place like home, but this doesn’t mean it’s safe. Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention saw that. The researchers estimate 234,000 people ages 15 and older go to the emergency department each year because they got hurt in the bathroom.

Dr. Judy Stevens says two thirds of the injuries were in women. She also says:

``The injury rate increased with age, so people over 65 were more likely to be injured – and also to have a more serious injury, like a fracture.’’ (9 seconds)

The study found two thirds of injuries happened in a shower or tub. To reduce the risk, add non-slip surfaces and grab bars both inside and outside the shower or tub.

The study was in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: June 23, 2011