Why Are More Older People Dying After Falls?
Why Are More Older People Dying After Falls?
Some researchers suspect that rising prescription drug use may explain a disturbing trend.
Read the full article on NY Times Science
Truth Analysis
Analysis Summary:
The article's claim about rising prescription drug use potentially explaining increased fall-related deaths in older people is plausible but lacks direct verification from the provided sources. The sources confirm the general trend of falls being dangerous for the elderly and highlight various contributing factors, but none directly link prescription drug use to the increased mortality rate. Therefore, the article exhibits moderate bias through potential selective reporting.
Detailed Analysis:
- Claim: More older people are dying after falls.
- Verification Source #1: Nearly 39,000 older adults died from a fall in 2021.
- Verification Source #4: Over 14 million, or 1 in 4 older adults report falling every year. This chart shows the number of older adult fall-related deaths by month
- Assessment: Supported by sources indicating a significant number of fall-related deaths among older adults.
- Claim: Rising prescription drug use may explain a disturbing trend of increased deaths after falls.
- Verification Source #1: Source does not mention prescription drug use as a cause of falls.
- Verification Source #2: Source does not mention prescription drug use as a cause of falls.
- Verification Source #3: Source does not mention prescription drug use as a cause of falls.
- Verification Source #4: Source does not mention prescription drug use as a cause of falls.
- Verification Source #5: Source does not mention prescription drug use as a cause of falls.
- Assessment: Unverified by the provided sources. While plausible, the link between rising prescription drug use and increased fall-related deaths is not explicitly supported by the provided information.
Supporting Evidence/Contradictions:
- Source 1: "Nearly 39,000 older adults died from a fall in 2021, but experts say they can be prevented"
- None of the provided sources directly support the claim that rising prescription drug use explains the trend of increased deaths after falls.