OBJECTIVE:
To determine the characteristics of elderly who died by falling in Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, from 2006 to 2011.
METHODS:
We analyzed 2,126 deaths from falls in the state from 2006 to 2011, registered in the Brazilian Mortality Information System. Statistical analyzes were performed using the SPSS 17.0 computer application.
RESULTS:
The chance of death from falls in the elderly is significantly higher for females, age group above 69 years and elderly people with white skin color, widowed or single. There was a 41.8% increase in specific mortality rates fall during the study period, the highest rate occurring in 2011 31.56 deaths fall among 100,000 elderly, higher for females and age 80 years or more.
CONCLUSION:
It was found that the mortality rate from falls increased from 2006 to 2011 in that state, being highest for those aged 80 and over, relevance of results for the development of public policies for the elderly.
Aging; Accidental Falls; Mortality Rate
