Risk factors for falls among older adults in China: a cross-sectional study

Falls among older adults are a significant public health concern. This study aims to explore and analyze the risk factors associated with falls among older adults in China, in order to develop appropriate interventions to minimize fall risk. Using data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, this study analyzes the incidence of falls and employs a logistic regression model to identify the influencing factors. A total of 8,170 samples were included in the analysis. Results show that the overall incidence of falls among older adults is 18.29%. Being female, older age, poor self-rated health, depression, difficulty with activities of daily living (ADL), chronic diseases, physical pain, drinking, short sleep duration, dissatisfaction with life, and dissatisfaction with children were all significantly associated with a higher likelihood of falls. With the aging population accelerating, falls among older adults are becoming increasingly serious, severely affecting their daily functioning and quality of life. Therefore, greater attention should be paid to these risk factors, and timely, targeted prevention and intervention strategies should be implemented to effectively reduce fall incidence.