Dynamics of fall-related hospitalizations and mortality among seniors in France: 2015-2024 trends

Background

In the context of population ageing and increasing health threats, falls among older adults represent a major public health challenge due to high frequency and severe consequences (loss of autonomy, increased institutionnalization…). Following the 2022 launch of a national fall prevention strategy, a dedicated epidemiological surveillance was established. This study describes the dynamics of fall-related hospitalizations and deaths recorded between 2015 and 2024 among individuals aged 65+ in France, including territorial disparities.

Methods

National surveillance combined hospital discharge data (SNDS/PMSI) and mortality data (CépiDc-Inserm) using a reactive monitoring system based on free-text analysis of death certificates. Rates were standardized (2019 French population) to distinguish the specific risk evolution from mechanical effect of demographic changes.

Results

Between 2019 and 2024, the standardized hospitalization rate increased from 994 to 1,198 per 100,000 inhabitants (+20.5%; 174,824 annual stays) and the standardized mortality rate rose from 117 to 138 per 100,000 (+18.0%; 20,148 deaths in 2024). While hospitalization rates are higher among women, mortality rate is higher among men. Rates increase with age and peak in winter. Since 2020, the upward trend in fall-related mortality has diverged from previous projections (2015-2019) and from all-cause mortality, which declined after the 2020 peak. Persistent regional disparities exist, with higher rates in regions such as Grand Est, Normandy, Brittany and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.

Conclusions

The sustained increase in standardized indicators constitutes a concerning public health signal. These findings provide essential evidence to monitor health policies and help dimension territorial needs. The burden of falls is increasing beyond demographic expectations, highlighting the urgency of implementing lifecourse prevention strategies to mitigate frailty and support healthy ageing.

Key messages

• Fall-related hospitalizations and mortality among French seniors increased by ∼20% (2019-2024), representing a burden that exceeds the mechanical effect of population ageing.

• This trend, independent of population ageing and general mortality, highlights the need for lifecourse prevention strategies and continued epidemiological surveillance to support targeted actions.