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Background Frailty Index (FI) reflects health, functioning and well-being of older people. It is valuable to compare how frailty has changed over time in ageing cohorts. This study aims to examine trends in frailty among 75–95-year-old men and women over three decades. Methods The Helsinki Ageing Study started in 1989 and includes repeated cross-sectional postal surveys every 10 years examining community-dwelling cohorts of older people (75, 80, 85, 90 and 95 years). FI comprises the same 36 items in each cohort. Results The mean FI was 0.22 (SD 0.12), 0.25 (SD 0.15), 0.26 (SD 0.15) and 0.23 (SD 0.15) in 1989, 1999, 2009 and 2019, respectively (P for linearity for crude values.11). Adjusted for age and sex, the four cohorts differed in their frailty the 2019 cohort having the lowest FI. This sex-adjusted difference was seen among 75-, 80-, 85- and 90-year-olds but not among 95-year-olds. FI decreased more among men than women (P for cohort <.001, P for sex <.01, P for interaction =.19). Conclusions The prevalence of frailty among community-dwelling individuals aged 75, 80, 85 and 90 years—but not among those aged 95 years—has significantly decreased over the last decades. This positive trend may have important implications for health policies in societies with increasing longevity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Whether increased life expectancy is accompanied by increased functional capacity in older people at specific ages is unclear. We compared similar validated measures of maximal physical performance in 2 population-based older cohorts born and assessed 28 years apart.Method: Participants in the first cohort were born in 1910 and 1914 and were assessed at age 75 and 80 years, respectively (N = 500, participation rate 77%). Participants in the second cohort were born in 1938 or 1939 and 1942 or 1943 and were assessed at age 75 and 80 years, respectively (N = 726, participation rate 40%). Participants were recruited using a population register and all community-dwelling persons in the target area were eligible. Both cohorts were interviewed at home and were examined at the research center with identical protocols. Maximal walking speed, maximal isometric grip and knee extension strength, forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) were assessed. Data on non-participation were systematically collected.Results: Walking speed was on average 0.2-0.4 m/s faster in the later than earlier cohort. In grip strength, the improvements were 5%-25%, and in knee extension strength 20%-47%. In FVC, the improvements were 14-21% and in FEV1, 0-14%.Conclusions: The later cohort showed markedly and meaningfully higher results in the maximal functional capacity tests, suggesting that currently 75- and 80-year-old people in Finland are living to older ages nowadays with better physical functioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To study the prevalence of frailty and its relationship to mortality in cohorts born before and after the Second World War using three different frailty measures. Methods: Cross-sectional data from two cohorts born in 1935 (n=593) and 1945 (n=714) were studied for frailty at the mean age of 70.7 (SD 1.8) years. Frailty was measured using the Frailty Phenotype (FP), the Frail Scale (FS) and the 74-item Frailty Index (FI>0.21 denoted frailty). Information on socioeconomic factors was obtained via a study questionnaire and the data on mortality were obtained from the Population Information System. Results: The prevalence of frailty by FI was more common in the older 1935 cohort than in the 1945 cohort (p<0.001). The percentage of robust subjects was higher in both sexes in the 1945 cohort using both FI and FS. After adjusting for sociodemographic factors, the difference in the prevalence of frailty between the cohorts remained significant in women only (OR 1.9 (95% CI 1.3–2.9), p=0.001). The FI classified people as frail more often (30.2% in the 1935 cohort and 17.5% in the 1945 cohort) than the FS (13.1% and 8.8%) or FP (1.8% and 1.6%). Low financial satisfaction was associated significantly with frailty in both sexes. Low level of education was associated with frailty in women and being unmarried or divorced in men. Frailty was associated to increased mortality using all frailty definitions in the 1935 cohort with a longer follow-up time. Conclusions: Improved living conditions and health care may have resulted in the lower prevalence of frailty in the 1945 cohort. The present study further strengthens the association between frailty and mortality & poor economic status and frailty. Frailty definitions are in need of further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fall-induced injuries in older adults are a major public health challenge.Methods: We determined the current trends in the number and age-adjusted incidence of fall-induced severe cervical spine injuries among older adults in Finland by taking into account all persons 50 years of age or older who were admitted to Finnish hospitals for primary treatment of these injuries between 1970 and 2017. Similar patients aged 20-49 years served as a reference group.Results: The annual number of fall-induced severe cervical spine injuries among older Finnish adults rose steeply during the follow-up, from 59 in 1970 to 502 in 2017. The age-adjusted incidence of injury (per 100,000 persons) was higher in men than women throughout this period and showed a clear increase from 1970 to 2017: from 8.4 to 25.0 in men, and from 2.8 to 13.9 in women. In both sexes, the increase was most prominent in the oldest age group, persons aged 80 years or older. In the reference group, the injury incidence declined by time.Conclusions: The number and incidence of fall-induced severe cervical spine injuries among older Finns showed a sharp rise between 1970 and 2017. An increase in the average risk of serious falls may partly explain the phenomenon. Effective fall and injury prevention measures are urgently needed since further aging of the population is likely to aggravate the problem in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Physical fitness is strongly related to health and may offer valuable information about public health. We investigated trends in physical fitness, leisure‐time physical activity (LTPA), and anthropometry of young healthy adult Finnish men in representative population‐based samples between 2003 and 2015. Methods: Three independent cross‐sectional samples of 18‐ to 35‐year‐old Finnish men were assessed in 2003 (n = 889), 2008 (n = 803), and 2015 (n = 690). Cardiorespiratory (VO2max) and muscular fitness (1‐minute sit‐ups and push‐ups), body mass, and height were measured. Self‐reported LTPA was assessed. Results: After adjusting for age, education, and smoking, cardiorespiratory fitness was higher in 2003 (mean: 43.5, 95%CI: 42.9‐44.1 mL/kg/min) compared to 2008 (41.3, 95%CI: 40.7‐41.9 mL/kg/min) and 2015 (40.6, 95%CI: 40.0‐41.2 mL/kg/min) (P <.001), whereas no difference was observed between 2008 and 2015. The lowest values in muscular fitness were observed in 2003, while no clear trends were further noticed. The adjusted BMI was higher in 2008 (25.1, 95%CI: 24.9‐25.4) and 2015 (25.3, 95%CI: 25.3, 95%CI: 25.0‐25.6) compared to 2003 (24.5, 95%CI: 24.3‐24.8) (P <.005). In 2015, a higher proportion of individuals exercised at least four times per week compared to 2003 and 2008 (P <.05). Conclusion: The decrease in cardiorespiratory fitness that took place between 2003 and 2008 plateaued after 2008. The plateau is in accordance with the previously observed trend of 5‐10 years younger Finnish men. Moreover, muscular fitness was for the most part higher in 2008 and 2015 compared to 2003. Efforts directed to promote regular physical activity and improve physical fitness are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To examine birth cohort differences in depressive symptoms and life satisfaction in older men and women and the mechanisms underpinning the possible cohort differences. Methods: Two independent cohorts of Finnish men and women aged 75 and 80 were assessed in 1989-1990 ( n = 617) and 2017-2018 ( n = 794). They reported their depressive symptoms (CES-D), current life satisfaction, and evaluation of life until now. Results: The later-born cohort reported fewer depressive symptoms (8.6 ± 7.1 vs. 13.9 ± 8.3) and the differences were similar for the subdomains of depressive symptoms. The later-born cohort was more often mostly satisfied with life until now (90 vs. 70%) but not with the current life than the earlier-born cohort. Better self-rated health and education of the later-born cohort partly explain the cohort differences. Discussion: Older people in Finland report fewer depressive symptoms and they are more satisfied with their past life compared to their counterparts assessed 28 years ago., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Background Hip fractures of older adults are a major public health issue. Methods We determined the current trend in the number and incidence (per 100,000 persons) of hip fracture among older adults in Finland by taking into account all persons 50 years of age or older who were admitted to hospitals for primary treatment of such fracture between 1970 and 2016. Results The number of hip fractures rose sharply till the end of 1990s (from 1857 in 1970 to 7122 in 1997), but since then, the rise has slowed down (7716 fractures in 2016). Similarly, the age-adjusted incidence of hip fracture increased until 1997 but declined thereafter. The decline was especially clear in women whose age-adjusted incidence was 537.9 (per 100,000 persons) in 1997 but only 344.1 in 2016. In men, the corresponding incidence was 256.5 in 1997 and 194.7 in 2016. With the current 2016 incidence rates, the number of hip fractures in Finland will increase by 44% by the year 2030 due to the sharp growth of the population at risk. The only way to limit the rise is to have a further decline in fracture incidence in 2016–2030. Conclusions The decline in the incidence of hip fracture in Finland has continued through the entire new millennium. Despite this we have to effectively continue implementation of the fracture prevention efforts, because our elderly population will grow rapidly in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Low-trauma fractures (also called osteoporotic fragility fractures or fall-induced fractures) of older adults are a serious public health problem. However, very little population-based information is available on the nationwide numbers, incidences, and especially secular trends of elderly people's low-trauma fractures of the distal humerus. Methods: We assessed the current trends in the number and incidence of these fractures in 60-year-old or older women in Finland by taking into account all women who were admitted to Finnish hospitals for primary treatment of such fracture in 1970-2014. Results: The annual number of low-trauma distal humeral fractures among Finnish women 60 years of age or older rose over fivefold between 1970 and 1998 (from 42 to 224 fractures), but thereafter, the number decreased down to 198 fractures in 2014. The age-adjusted incidence (per 100,000 persons) of these fractures also increased in 1970-1998 (from 12 to 35) but decreased thereafter to 23 in 2014. The finding was similar in the age-specific patient groups (60-69, 70-79, and 80+): The incidence rose from 1970 till 1998 and decreased thereafter. Conclusions: The steep rise in the rate of low-trauma distal humeral fractures in 60-year-old or older Finnish women from 1970 till late 1990s has been followed by a clearly declining fracture rate. The exact reasons for this secular change are unknown, but a cohort effect toward improved functional ability among elderly women, as well as measures to prevent falls and alleviate fall severity, could partly explain the phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fall-induced fractures of older adults are a major public health concern. However, nationwide information on recent fracture trends is sparse.Methods: We determined the trend in the number and incidence (per 100,000 persons) of fall-induced ankle fractures among older adults in Finland by taking into account all persons 60 years of age or older who were admitted to Finnish hospitals for primary treatment of such fracture in 1970-2014.Results: The number of fall-induced ankle fractures among 60-year-old or older Finnish persons increased steadily and sharply between 1970 (369 fractures) and 1997 (1668 fractures), but since then, the increase has slowed down (1835 fractures in 2014). The raw incidence of ankle fracture, showing a clear rise from 57 fractures per 100,000 persons in 1970 to 169 fractures in 1997, declined steadily between 1997 and 2014 (to 126 fractures in 2014). Observations on the age-adjusted fracture incidence were similar. During 1970-1997, the age-adjusted incidence of fall-induced ankle fracture clearly rose in both women and men, but thereafter, the incidence declined; in women, from 199 in 1997 to 158 in 2014, and in men, from 123 in 1997 to 80 in 2014.Conclusions: The sharp rise in the incidence of fall-induced ankle fracture in Finnish older adults from early 1970s until late 1990s has been followed by a declining fracture rate. Despite this welcome development, the rapid aging of our population is likely to increase the absolute number of these fractures in the near future, and therefore, large-scale fracture-preventing intervention studies are urgently needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The incidence of childhood epilepsy has changed during the past decades, but it is unclear whether it increased or decreased. Methods Changes in drug-treated childhood epilepsy between 1968 and 2012 were evaluated using the Finnish nationwide register of all children, aged ≤ 15 years, on antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) prescribed for the treatment of epilepsy. The first registered entitlement to full-refundable AEDs was used as a proxy for newly diagnosed epilepsy. Incidence densities were calculated as ratios of annual new cases per 100,000 person-years in each calendar year during 1968 to 2012. Results The annual incidence density of newly treated childhood epilepsy increased from 35 in the 1960s to 87 per 100,000 person-years in the 1990s and decreased thereafter to 61 per 100,000 person-years. Since 1996, the incidence density decreased 1–2% per year in children aged < 1, 1–5, or 6–10 years (all 95% confidence intervals within 0.3%–3%), while no substantial change was seen in older children. Conclusion The incidence of drug-treated childhood epilepsy from the late 1960s to the early 1990s distinctly increased. The reasons for the increase are not fully understood but may include increasing ascertainment through improved diagnosis and a wider acceptance of AED treatment. Since the 1990s, a slight decline can be seen, probably reflecting the recent improvement in child health and safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although fall-induced fractures of elderly persons are a major problem, epidemiologic knowledge on their time trends is limited. We assessed the trends in fall-induced fractures of the calcaneus and foot in older Finns between 1970 and 2013.Methods: The current trends in the number and incidence (per 100,000 persons) of fall-induced fractures of the calcaneus and foot of older Finns were determined by taking into account individuals 50-year-olds or older who were admitted to Finnish hospitals for primary treatment of such injury in 1970-2013.Results: The number and raw incidence of these fractures increased considerably between 1970 and 2013, from 64 (number) and 5.6 (incidence) in 1970, to 325 and 15.0, respectively, in 2013. The age-adjusted incidence of fracture was higher in men than women and showed a clear rise in both sexes in 1970-2013, from 7.2 to 15.2 in men (111% increase), and from 4.3 to 13.9 in women (223% increase). A similar rise was observed in the age-specific incidences. If trends in the age-specific fracture incidence continue at the same rate as were observed in 1970-2013, and the 50-year-old or older population increases as predicted (by 15% by the year 2030), the annual number of fall-induced fractures of the calcaneus and foot in this population will be 1.8 times higher in the year 2030 (580 fractures) than it was in 2013 (325 fractures).Conclusions: The number of fall-induced fractures of the calcaneus and foot among Finns 50 years of age or older has risen sharply between 1970 and 2013 with a rate that cannot be explained merely by demographic changes. Further studies should examine the reasons for the rise and possibilities for fracture prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low-trauma fractures of elderly persons are a major public health problem. However, epidemiologic knowledge on their fresh secular trends is scarce. Trends in the number and incidence (per 100,000 persons) of low-trauma fractures of the pelvic ring among older Finns were assessed by taking into account individuals 80-year-old or older who were admitted to Finnish hospitals for primary treatment of such injury in 1970-2013. The number and age-adjusted incidence of these fractures increased considerably between 1970 and 2013, from 33 (number) and 73 (incidence) in 1970 to 1055 and 364 in 2013. The age-specific incidence of fracture also increased in all age groups (80-84, 85-89, and 90-) of women and men during the entire study period. If the fracture incidence continues to rise at the same rates as in 1970-2013 and the size of the 80-year-old or older population of Finland increases as predicted (87 % by the year 2030), the number low-trauma pelvic fractures in this population will be 2.4 times higher in the year 2030 (2550 fractures) than it was in 2013 (1055 fractures). The number of low-trauma fractures of the pelvis among Finns 80 years of age or older has risen sharply between 1970 and 2013-with a rate that cannot be explained merely by demographic changes. Further studies are urgently needed to better assess the reasons for the rise and possibilities for fracture prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Low-trauma fractures of older women are a major public health problem. Nevertheless, nationwide information on recent trends of proximal humeral fractures is sparse. We assessed the current trend in the number and rate (per 100,000 persons) of low-trauma fractures of the proximal humerus among 80-year-old or older women in Finland, a European Union country with a well-defined white population of 5.3 million, by taking into account all women who were admitted to our hospitals for primary treatment of such fracture in 1970–2007. The number of low-trauma fractures of the proximal humerus among 80-year-old or older Finnish women rose continuously between 1970 (32 fractures) and 2007 (478 fractures), but because of a simultaneous, sharper rise in population at risk, the age-adjusted fracture rate (showing a clear rise from 88 fractures per 100,000 persons in 1970 to 304 fractures in 1995) became stabilized between 1995 and 2007 (298 fractures per 100,000 persons in 2007). In conclusion, the clear rise in the rate of low-trauma fractures of the proximal humerus in Finnish elderly women from early 1970s until mid 1990s has been followed by stabilized fracture rates. Reasons for this are largely unknown, but a cohort effect toward a healthier aging population with improved functional ability and reduced risk of injurious falls cannot be ruled out. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The study assessed the recent secular trend in the incidence of low-trauma knee fractures among older Finns in the years 1970–2006. The clear rise in women’s fracture incidence from early 1970s until the late 1990s was followed by a declining fracture rate. Exact reasons for the decline are unknown, but a cohort effect toward a healthier female population with improved functionality and reduced risk of injurious slips, trips and falls could partly explain the phenomenon. Although low-trauma fractures of elderly adults have been recognized as a major public health concern in modern societies with aging populations, fresh nationwide information on their secular trends is sparse. We determined the current trend in the number and incidence (per 100,000 persons) of low-trauma knee fractures among elderly people in Finland, an EU country with a well-defined white population of 5.3 million, by taking into account all persons 60 years of age or older who were admitted to our hospitals for primary treatment of such fractures from 1970 to 2006. The number and incidence of low-trauma knee fractures among 60-year-old or older Finnish women sharply rose between 1970 and 1997, from 218 (number) and 55 (incidence) in 1970 to 733 and 124 in 1997. However, thereafter both the number and incidence of fractures have continuously declined so that there were only 626 fractures in these women in 2006 (incidence 94). In the age-adjusted fracture incidence, the findings were similar. During 1970–1997, the age-adjusted incidence of low-trauma knee fractures in our elderly women clearly rose (from 60 to 118), but thereafter, this incidence declined to 85 in 2006. In men, the fracture incidence did not show consistent trend changes over time (30 in 1970 and 36 in 2006). The sharp rise in the incidence of low-trauma knee fractures in Finnish elderly women from early 1970s until late 1990s has been followed by a declining fracture rate. Exact reasons for this are unknown, but a cohort effect toward a healthier aging female population with improved functional ability and reduced risk of injurious slips, trips and falls cannot be excluded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although abdominal obesity has been shown to be an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease and a variety of other diseases, secular changes in fat distribution in populations have rarely been documented. Objective: Our objective was to assess trends in waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) in the Finnish population during a 10-y period. In addition, we investigated the associations of WHR with body mass index (BMI), age, education, and lifestyle factors. Design: Three independent cross-sectional surveys were carried out at 5-y intervals between 1987 and 1997. Altogether, 15096 randomly selected men and women aged 25-64 y participated in these surveys. Results: The WHR increased in both men and women during the 10-y period (P < 0.0001). In men, the strongest upward trend took place in the first 5-y period and then seemed to plateau; in women, the WHR continued to increase into the 1990s. In both sexes, the most prominent increase was observed in subjects aged ≥45 y. The WHR increased in all education-level groups, the lowest WHR being among those with the highest education. Age (18% in men, 12% in women) and BMI (33% in men, 25% in women) accounted for most of the variation in WHR, whereas only 3% was explained by education and lifestyle factors. Conclusions: Abdominal obesity is a growing problem in Finland, especially in persons aged =45 y. These adverse changes in body shape continued to take place, particularly in women, in the 1990s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Introduction: Low-trauma fractures of older adults have been recognized as a major public health problem in developed societies with aging populations. However, nationwide information on recent fracture trends is rather scarce. Methods: We determined the trend in the number and incidence (per 100,000 persons) of low-trauma ankle fracture among elderly people in Finland by taking into account all persons 60 years of age or older who were admitted to our hospitals for primary treatment of such fracture in 1970–2006. Results: The number of low-trauma ankle fractures among 60-year-old or older Finnish persons increased steadily and sharply between 1970 (369 fractures) and 1997 (1668 fractures), but since then, the increase has leveled off (1670 fractures in 2006). The raw incidence of low-trauma ankle fracture, showing a clear rise from 57 fractures per 100,000 persons in 1970 to 169 fractures in 1997, somewhat decreased between 1997 and 2006 (to 144 fractures in 2006). Observations on the age-adjusted fracture incidence were similar. During 1970–1997, the age-adjusted incidence of low-trauma ankle fracture clearly rose in both women and men, but thereafter, the incidence declined; in women, from 199 in 1997 to 173 in 2006, and in men, from 123 in 1997 to 100 in 2006. Conclusions: The sharp increase in the incidence of low-trauma ankle fracture in Finnish older adults from early 1970s until late 1990s has been followed by stabilized, slightly declining fracture rates. Reasons for this are not known, but a cohort effect toward a healthier aging population with improved functional ability and reduced risk of injurious slips, trips and falls could partly explain the phenomenon. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: This study assessed the current trend in the number and incidence (per 100,000 persons) of fall-induced severe head injuries among the very old adults in Finland, an EU-country with a well-defined white population of 5.2 million, by taking into account all persons 80 years of age or older who were admitted to our hospitals for primary treatment of such injury in 1970–2004. The number of Finns aged 80 years or older with a fall-induced severe head injury increased considerably between the years 1970 and 2004, from 60 (women) and 25 (men) in 1970 to 745 (women), and 350 (men) in 2004. The relative increases were 1142 and 1300%, respectively. Across the study period, the age-adjusted incidence of injury also showed a clear increase from 1970 to 2004, from 168 to 506 in women (201% increase), and from 172 to 609 in men (254% increase). A similar finding was observed in age-specific incidences. If the age-adjusted incidence of injury continues to rise at the same rate as in 1970–2004 and the size of the 80 year old or older population of Finland increases as predicted (approximately 2.2-fold increase during the coming 25 years), the number of fall-induced severe head injuries in this population will be about 3.4-fold higher in the year 2030 than it was in 2004. In Finnish persons 80 years of age or older, the number of fall-induced severe head injuries shows an alarming rise with a rate that cannot be explained merely by the demographic changes of the population. The finding underscores an increasing influence of falls on well-being of our elderly persons, and therefore, effective fall-prevention actions should be initiated to control this development. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Fall-induced traumatic brain injuries (TBI) of elderly adults are a major public health concern., Methods: We determined the current trends in the absolute number and incidence (per 100,000 persons) of severe fall-induced TBI among 80-year-old or older Finns by taking into account all persons who were admitted to Finnish hospitals for primary treatment of such injury between 1970 and 2017., Results: The total number of hospitalized older Finns with a fall-induced TBI increased considerably between the years 1970 and 2017, from 60 (women) and 25 (men) in 1970 to 1622 (women) and 991 (men) in 2017. The age-adjusted incidence of TBI (per 100,000 persons) also showed a clear increase from 1970 to 2017: from 167.9 to 800.4 in women (377% increase), and from 176.8 to 927.3 in men (424% increase). If this trend in the age-adjusted incidence of hospital-treated TBI continues, and the size of the 80-year-old or older Finnish population increases as predicted (from 0.29 million in 2017 to 0.49 million in 2030), the number of these severe injuries among 80-year-old or older Finns will be approximately 1.8 times higher in 2030 (4811 injuries) compared with 2613 injuries in 2017., Conclusions: The number and age-adjusted incidence of fall-induced hospital-treated TBI among elderly Finns increased considerably between 1970 and 2017. Wide-scale fall and injury prevention measures are urgently needed, because further aging of the population is likely to worsen the problem in the near future., (Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

This study determined the nationwide trends in unintentional injury deaths of adult Finns. For this purpose, we obtained from the Finnish Official Cause-of-Death Statistics the data for persons 15 years of age or older whose deaths occurred between 1971 and 2016 due to an unintentional injury. During the study period, a steep decline occurred in road traffic crashes. The death rate (per 100,000 persons) of women's road traffic crashes was 16 in 1971 but only 2 in 2016. Traffic caused much more deaths in men than women, but the declining trend in men's death rates was also clear, from 46 in 1971 to 7 in 2016. Concurrently, falls became the leading category of unintentional injury death in both genders. In women, the rate of fall-induced deaths increased from 16 in 1971 to 23 in 2016. In men, this rate rose from 14 in 1971 to 29 in 2016. Unintentional injury deaths in road traffic crashes declined drastically among adult Finnish population in 1971-2016. In contrast, the increase in their fall-induced deaths was of concern. Effective preventive actions should be started to control this development.