Falls are a public health problem – most falls could be prevented

Falls are the most common type of accident in Finland, and particularly older people often suffer serious consequences as a result. Accident Day, observed on Friday 13 March, reminds us of the ways in which people of all ages can prevent falls.

When a resident of Finland is admitted to a hospital ward due to an accident, in over 70% of cases the cause is a fall. The number of injuries is high: for example, approximately 33,700 people received inpatient care due to falls in 2024.

Falls happen to people of all ages, but older people are more likely to suffer serious injuries from falls than younger people. In particular, hip, wrist and vertebral fractures can permanently impair functional capacity. Among people of retirement age and older, deaths caused by falls have actually increased in recent years.

‘Falls are a public health problem that is expected to increase as the population ages. The good news is that falls can often be prevented, regardless of age,’ says Antti Impinen, a senior researcher at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare.

Exercise as the number one solution

It has been proven that the single most effective way to prevent falls is exercise that develops muscle strength and balance. Gym training and muscle exercises can be adapted to suit many different ages and possible limitations. In addition to this, many familiar forms of exercise, such as skiing, dancing or cycling, strengthen muscles and improve balance.

‘Physical activity does not have to be performance-oriented. The most important thing is to exercise regularly and in a way that suits your individual circumstances. That way, almost anyone can find a way to exercise that suits them,’ says Ansa Holm, executive director of the Luustoliitto bone health society.

Developing balance and muscle strength is beneficial at any age. Exercise is particularly important for people whose bones have become fragile due to osteoporosis, for example.

‘If you break a bone during everyday activities, it is advisable to consult your healthcare provider to check for osteoporosis. Preventing falls is particularly important for people with osteoporosis,’ Holm notes.

Make your home safe

The quickest way to prevent falls is to make your home and its surroundings safe, as the majority of falls occur at home. Potential hazards include slippery surfaces, thresholds, passageways blocked by objects and inadequate lighting.

‘Even small actions, such as drying the bathroom floor or taping down a rug corner, can make a big difference. It is also worth having your eyesight checked if it has been a while since your last check-up. Home safety checklists help you go through your home item by item and room by room,’ advises Saara Aakko, health promotion specialist from Finnish Red Cross.

The Accident Day campaign is held once a year during the week of Friday the 13th. The campaign encourages people to think of ways for everyone to reduce risks and prevent accidents at home, during leisure time and at work. The campaign is organised by the Accident Prevention Network, comprising organisations, authorities and private operators alike and coordinated by the Finnish Red Cross.

Further information on Accident Day and fall prevention:

Home safety checklists and tests

tapaturmapaiva.fi (in Finnish)

luustoliitto.fi/kaatumisen-ehkaisyn-avaimet/ (in Finnish)

Accident Day test (in Finnish)

Contact information:

Senior Researcher Antti Impinen, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, antti.impinen@thl.fi, tel. +358 29 524 7308

Health Promotion Specialist Saara Aakko, Finnish Red Cross, saara.aakko@punainenristi.fi, tel. +358 40 480 6973

Executive Director Ansa Holm, Luustoliitto, ansa.holm@luustoliitto.fi, tel. +358 50 303 8129