South Dakota third highest state for elderly deaths due to falls

According to a report released by the CDC, South Dakota has the third highest rate of elderly deaths from falls in the United States. South Dakota averages 140.3 deaths per 100,000 falls. That resulted in 197 deaths in South Dakota due to falling in 2022. The only State’s ranked worse than South Dakota were Wisconsin with 176.5 deaths per 100,000 falls and Minnesota who had a 141.8 deaths per 100,000 falls. The study looked at people in the age range of 65 to 85 years and older. The CDC encourages states to manage fall risks among the elderly by addressing risk factors such as use of medicine that may increase fall risk, poor strength and poor balance.