One in five American Indian or Alaska Native (AIAN) elders age 65 year and older have fallen multiple times in the past year, the highest prevalence of any racial group, according to a new Center fact sheet that provides the first statewide California data on AIAN elder health. 

Using data from the 2007 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS), the fact sheet looks at a range of issues associated with AIAN health including diabetes, tobacco use and low rates of cancer screening.  Among the most surprising findings: 22% of AIAN elders age 65 years and older have had multiple falls in the last year compared with 14% among all other races.  Low-income AIAN elders are nearly twice as likely to experience falls, an incident closely correlated with declining health. 

Although the data does not supply an immediate explanation for the high falls rate, the authors found that only one-quarter to one-third of any racial/ethnic group received a review of their medications by a health care professional following a fall.  High rates of falls and other chronic conditions may be exacerbated by AIAN elder’s lower than average access to health care.

“These findings document the importance of public health and primary care providers to be vigilant about screening older adults for falls and chronic conditions, and taking well-known preventive measures when appropriate,” said the fact sheet’s author, Center Research Scientist Delight Satter.

The fact sheet will be followed by a report that further examines AIAN elder health issues.

Read the fact sheet:  American Indian Elder Health: Critical Information for Researchers and Policymakers

Read an author interview on what the findings mean for America's senior citizens, generally.