First, some of the increased deaths from falls may be due to prescription medications. Numerous prescription drugs, such as many antidepressants and psychotherapeutic agents, are labeled as fall risk-increasing drugs.

...

Second, some of the increased deaths may be due to rising alcohol consumption.

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Third, it may be due to increased rates of obesity.

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Fourth, some of the increase may be due to changes in reporting. As people have become more aware of the danger of falls, falls that used to not be recorded as a cause of death may increasingly be reported as a cause.

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Fifth, some of the increase may be due to fewer deaths from other causes.

Fifth being a similar number of a small amount increases percentage.

[–] calliope@retrolemmy.com 8 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

Legitimately a worthless article. They explain why right at the beginning. Before their further asinine 5 reasons.

Age is an enormous predictor of death risk by falls. From about age 40 onward, the annual death rate from falls increases by roughly 9–10% for each additional year of age. And people older than 65 grew from 12.4% of the US population in 2000 to 17.6% in 2023.

It’s literally right there. They called it the “baby boom” for a reason. The population is way older.

[–] shittydwarf@piefed.social 1 points 3 weeks ago

Strangely absent doomscrolling

[–] wonderingwanderer@sopuli.xyz 1 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

And they never mentioned the slackening of OSHA standards?

[–] village604@adultswim.fan 1 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

I doubt that would have a significant impact on the fall statistics, especially as a cause of death.

Most fall deaths happen to the elderly.

[–] wonderingwanderer@sopuli.xyz 1 points 3 weeks ago

Then the slackening of OSHA restrictions combined with the unattainability of retirement for many blue collar workers