Review Links Walking Difficulty to Higher Death Risk

A review of six large aging studies found that older adults who report difficulty walking have nearly twice the risk of death during follow-up as those who walk comfortably, and are also more likely to experience illness, falls, depression, disability and hospitalization. Researchers say asking about walking difficulty could offer a simple way to identify health needs and assess whether care is distributed equitably. U.S. data also show that deaths from unintentional falls rise with age, are highest among adults 85 and older, and are higher for men than women.