In the United States, approximately 29 million falls occur each year among older adults, resulting in 27,000 deaths and 7 million injuries requiring medical care or limiting activity for at least 1 day. By 2030, 18% of the world's population will be 65 years of age or older. As the population ages, falls among older adults are on the rise and are becoming a major preventable health problem.

Falls are a sign of acute and chronic health decline in older adults. Falls reduce physical function by causing injury, limiting activity, causing fear of falling, and loss of mobility.

On average, every second an older person falls. With the number of older people increasing due to the aging population worldwide, falls will become more common without active participation from everyone.