Falls hospitalisations in the Northern Territory 1999-2008: the basis of need for a comprehensive falls prevention strategy

Falls are a major source of preventable morbidity and mortality particularly for older people. Most jurisdictions have well established coordinated, multi-faceted falls prevention strategies. The NT does not. This study analysed NT hospitalisation data for falls occurring in the community over the 10 years 1999-2008. Data is presented on number and rates of falls hospitalisations, type of injury, length of stay, types of fall, activity being undertaken and place of the fall, contribution of alcohol and cost of inpatient care. The rate of falls hospitalisation and their costs increased steadily during the study period. Rates of falls hospitalisation in the NT for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people are consistently higher than in the rest of Australia. There are important variations within the NT. For Indigenous people hospitalisation rates are higher among young adults and middle aged people but lower in people aged over 64 years compared to non-Indigenous people. Central Australia has significantly higher rates than the Top End for both Indigenous and nonIndigenous people. This data highlights the need for a comprehensive Falls Prevention Strategy for the NT.