Roundup: CDC Cites Sharp Rise in Fall-Related Deaths in Adults 65 and Older; and More News

Sharp Rise in Fall-Related Deaths Among Older Adults Over Past Two Decades, CDC Reports

Unintentional falls are becoming an increasingly deadly threat to older adults in the U.S. A new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that fall-related death rates among adults aged 65 to 74 rose more than 70 percent from 2003 to 2023  -- reaching their highest level yet in 2023.

According to the CDC’s analysis of national mortality data, the fall death rate climbed to 69.9 per 100,000 population for this age group in 2023—part of a consistent upward trend over the two decades. The most vulnerable are those aged 85 and older, who have experienced the steepest increases in fatal falls over time.

This alarming rise underscores the urgent need for preventive measures, as the aging population in the U.S. continues to grow, the CDC states. While falls may once have been seen as an unfortunate part of aging, the data now suggest they represent a growing public health crisis.

Death Rates by Age and Sex: A Closer Look

The study found that men had higher fall death rates than women across all older age groups. The disparity was greatest in the 65–74 age bracket, but became less pronounced with age. Still, both sexes saw a steady increase in death rates over time.

These trends suggest that aging alone may significantly raises the risk of fatal falls, regardless of gender, and point to the importance of early intervention, even before the advanced stages of old age.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Fall Mortality

The CDC report highlights important racial and ethnic variations in fall death rates:

• Among adults aged 65–74, Asian individuals had the lowest rates. Hispanic individuals also showed relatively low rates, although the difference between them and Asians was not statistically significant.
• In the 75–84 and 85+ groups, Black individuals had the lowest rates.
• White adults exhibited the highest fall death rates across all age brackets. However, for some age groups, the difference between White and American Indian or Alaska Native individuals was not statistically significant.

These patterns may reflect a range of factors, including disparities in healthcare access, prevalence of chronic conditions, or differences in home and community environments.

Geographic Differences: Where the Risk Is Highest

The burden of fall deaths varies significantly across the U.S. In 2023, Wisconsin recorded the highest rate—158.4 deaths per 100,000. That’s more than five times higher than Alabama’s rate of 29.5, the lowest in the nation.

Such regional disparities may result from differences in state-level public health strategies, the built environment, access to geriatric care, and community-level resources aimed at fall prevention.

The CDC based its findings on mortality data from the National Vital Statistics System covering 2003–2023. Deaths were classified as unintentional falls. Race and ethnicity data were recorded using federal standards. However, the CDC notes that misclassification can lead to underestimations, especially among American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian, and Hispanic populations.

Why This Matters: Prevention Is Possible

Although the rise in fatal falls is stark, the CDC emphasizes that such outcomes are not inevitable. Evidence-based strategies can significantly reduce fall risk. These include:

• Balance and strength training
• Medication reviews to reduce side effects
• Home safety modifications
• Vision checks and corrective lenses

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New Study Strengthens Link Between Alcohol and Pancreatic Cancer Risk

A major international study has found a “significant association” between alcohol consumption and an increased risk of pancreatic cancer, according to a news release on the study from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health Organization.

Researchers analyzed data from nearly 2.5 million adults across 30 population-based cohorts in Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America. Published in PLOS Medicine, the study was conducted by the IARC in collaboration with multiple global research institutions.

Pancreatic cancer is often diagnosed at a late stage, and has one of the highest fatality rates among cancers. Though it ranks as only the 12th most common cancer globally, it was responsible for approximately 5 percent of all cancer-related deaths in 2022. Identifying modifiable risk factors is therefore crucial to improving prevention efforts.

Study Findings

The participants, who were cancer-free at the beginning of the study, were followed for a median period of 16 years. During this time, more than 10,000 cases of pancreatic cancer were diagnosed. The study assessed alcohol consumption in relation to cancer risk, adjusting for other variables including sex and smoking status.

Researchers found a modest but statistically significant increase in pancreatic cancer risk associated with alcohol intake. Specifically, for every 10 grams of alcohol consumed per day—roughly equivalent to one standard alcoholic drink—the risk increased by 3 percent.

Among women, those who consumed 15–30 grams of alcohol daily (about one to two drinks) had a 12 percent higher risk compared to those consuming minimal amounts (0.1–5 grams/day). Among men, those consuming 30–60 grams per day (about two to four drinks) had a 15 percent increased risk, while those drinking more than 60 grams daily had a 36 percent higher risk.

Pietro Ferrari, M.D., head of the Nutrition and Metabolism Branch at IARC and senior author of the study, stated in a news release: “Alcohol consumption is a known carcinogen, but until now, the evidence linking it specifically to pancreatic cancer has been considered inconclusive. Our findings provide new evidence that pancreatic cancer may be another cancer type associated with alcohol consumption, a connection that has been underestimated until now.”

While smoking is a well-established risk factor for pancreatic cancer, the study carefully accounted for its potential confounding effects. According to Dr. Ferrari, “The association between alcohol and risk of pancreatic cancer was observed even among non-smokers, indicating that alcohol consumption itself is an independent risk factor for pancreatic cancer.”

Public Health Implications

These findings contribute to a growing body of research linking alcohol consumption to cancer. Alcohol has long been classified as a carcinogen, known to increase the risk of several cancers, including those of the liver, breast, and esophagus. This study adds pancreatic cancer to the list of alcohol-associated cancers and suggests that even moderate drinking can carry risk.

Given the severity and poor prognosis of pancreatic cancer, the study underscores the importance of public awareness and prevention. Reducing alcohol intake may be a meaningful step in lowering one’s risk of developing this particularly deadly form of cancer.

Exercise After Cancer Diagnosis Linked to Improved Survival, Major Study Finds

A major new analysis led by the American Cancer Society has found that regular physical activity after a cancer diagnosis is strongly associated with longer survival for individuals diagnosed with several common cancer types.

The research, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, offers compelling evidence that postdiagnosis exercise plays a significant role in improving overall health outcomes in cancer survivors.

The study analyzed data from over 90,000 adult cancer survivors across six large U.S.-based cohorts. On average, participants were 67 years of age at the time of their diagnosis, and researchers followed them for nearly 11 years. Of the total, more than 45,000 participants passed away during the follow-up period.

Researchers specifically looked at how engaging in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) after a cancer diagnosis impacted survival. MVPA includes activities like brisk walking, jogging, swimming, or cycling—anything that raises the heart rate and requires sustained effort.

The results were clear: cancer survivors who engaged in the recommended amount of MVPA had a significantly lower risk of death, compared to those who did not exercise. This association held true across ten types of cancer: bladder, breast, colon, endometrial (uterine), kidney, lung, oral cavity, prostate, rectal, and other respiratory cancers.

How Much Activity Is Enough?

The study found that even moderate levels of physical activity can make a difference. Specifically, engaging in 7.5 to just under 15 MET hours of activity per week—equivalent to about 2.5 to 5 hours of brisk walking—was associated with improved survival.

These findings support existing public health guidelines, which recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week for adults. Importantly, the benefits appeared consistent even when researchers adjusted for other health factors such as age, sex, race, smoking, alcohol use, and cancer treatment details.

This research is noteworthy for several reasons. It is the first large-scale longitudinal study to examine the link between postdiagnosis physical activity and survival for bladder and oral cavity cancer survivors. It is also the largest study to date to assess this connection in survivors of endometrial, kidney, and lung cancer.

Erika Rees-Punia, M.D., senior principal scientist of population science research at the American Cancer Society and lead author of the study, emphasized the value of these findings in a news release. “For decades, it’s been known that consistent exercise can help people live healthier lives,” said Dr. Rees-Punia.  “Our findings bring more critical evidence that being physically active after a cancer diagnosis can bring a meaningful impact on your likelihood of survival.”

While cancer treatment often takes a physical and emotional toll, the study encourages survivors to consider physical activity as a vital part of their recovery and long-term health.

“The effects of cancer treatment can wear you down physically and mentally,” said Dr. Rees-Punia. “This can make exercise feel like a daunting task, but doing some exercise is better than doing none. Finding an exercise that you enjoy or exercising with a friend can make it more approachable.”