Geographic variation in the occurrence of hip fractures among the elderly White US population

Abstract

Geographic variations in hip fracture rates across the nine US Census Divisions were examined using data for elderly Whites from the 1979-85 National Hospital Discharge Survey. Rates varied considerably and were highest in the West North Central Division where rates for females were 50 percent higher than the US rate. Reasons for the geographic variations in hip fracture rates are unknown but do not appear to be closely related to latitude or fall-related deaths.