Falls are the leading cause of injuries among older adults in the United States, often resulting in serious consequences like traumatic brain injuries.
In 2021, falls led to 36,500 deaths across the country, including 3,805 in Florida.
Despite these alarming numbers, the role of alcohol in fall-related injuries among older adults has not been widely studied—until now.
A recent study from Florida Atlantic University’s Schmidt College of Medicine has revealed a strong link between alcohol use and severe head trauma in older adults who experience falls.
The study, published in the Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians Open, is one of the first to focus on alcohol consumption and its connection to intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), a dangerous type of brain bleeding.
The researchers analyzed data from over 3,100 patients aged 65 and older who were treated for head injuries at two trauma centers in Palm Beach County, Florida. These hospitals handle a high number of emergency cases, making them an ideal setting for studying fall-related injuries.
Among the study participants, 13.5% were diagnosed with ICH after their falls. About 18% of the patients reported drinking alcohol, with 6% drinking daily. The study found that alcohol consumption significantly increased the risk of severe brain injuries.
Dr. Richard Shih, a professor of emergency medicine and the lead researcher, reported that occasional alcohol use doubled the risk of ICH compared to non-drinkers.
For daily drinkers, the risk was even higher—150% greater than for those who did not drink at all. This shows a clear pattern: the more often an older adult drinks, the greater their chances of suffering serious brain injuries after a fall.
The study also found that alcohol users in the study were generally younger (average age 78) than non-drinkers (average age 83). Alcohol users were also more likely to suffer from brain bleeding after a fall—22% of drinkers had ICH compared to just 12% of non-drinkers.
The more frequently someone drank, the higher their absolute risk of ICH, increasing from 8.5% in occasional drinkers to 13.1% in daily drinkers.
Alcohol increases fall risk by affecting balance, coordination, and concentration. As people age, their bodies process alcohol less efficiently, making its effects stronger. Changes in body composition, such as higher body fat and lower water content, also intensify alcohol’s impact, leading to greater impairment and a higher likelihood of falling.
Despite its clear role in fall-related injuries, alcohol use is not currently included in major fall prevention guidelines, such as those from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Geriatrics Society. Dr. Shih believes that alcohol screening and education should be part of fall prevention programs to reduce serious injuries in older adults.
This study highlights the importance of recognizing alcohol as a key risk factor in fall prevention. By addressing alcohol use, healthcare providers and caregivers may help protect older adults from severe injuries like traumatic brain damage.
Other recent studies have explored related topics, such as how age affects whether alcohol is beneficial or harmful, and the importance of preventing dangerous drug and alcohol interactions for people over 40. Research has also linked moderate alcohol drinking to high blood pressure and identified promising new treatments for alcoholism.
The full findings of this study are available in the Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians Open.
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