Deaths from fall injuries becoming more prevalentBy Lee I-chia / Staff reporterFall injuries have become the second-biggest cause of accidental deaths in Taiwan and about one in six people people aged 65 years or older has reported accidental falls, the Health Promotion Administration (HPA) said last week, as it offered tips to help elderly people prevent fall injuries. According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s 2024 deaths statistics, fall injuries ranked second among the leading causes of accidental deaths. The HPA added that its 2021 National Health Interview Survey found that on average one in six older people have reported accidental falls, with one in 12 seeking treatment for fall injuries. First, family members should “proactively ask and assess risks” — asking older family members if they have fallen or have difficulty walking lately. HPA Director-General Shen Ching-fen (沈靜芬) recommended older people and their families visit the HPA official website’s fall prevention Web site.

Source: Taipei Times March 21, 2026 17:14 UTC