自1972年以來，事故傷害一直都在十大死因的前五位，更是臺灣0-14歲兒童與15-44歲青壯年的第一死因。在所有事故傷害類型中，跌倒墜落在歷年均名列前三名，是重要的議題。
本研究利用1986年到2007年的「死因統計」與「內政統計年報」來計算跌倒墜落的死亡率。「意外跌墜」按照國際詳細死因分類碼(ICD-9-CM)，分為「墜落(E880, E881, E882, E884)」、「跌倒(E885, E886)」及「其他未明示(E883, E887, E888)」三大類。統計分析採用SPSS 14.0，利用曲線估計(Curve Estimation)來檢定死亡率長期趨勢。
研究結果顯示，臺灣地區從1986至2007年共計26,973人因跌倒墜落死亡，主要的類型為「由某一高度跌至另一高度(E884)」佔30.26%。22年來整體跌倒墜落死亡率男性(每10萬人口8.05)高於女性(每10萬人口3.23)，死亡趨勢沒有顯著的改變；65歲以上老人死亡率遠高於其他年齡層，其中又以70歲以上老人最為嚴重(死亡率每10萬人口49.03)。若將「跌倒」與「墜落」分層分析，70歲以上男、女性「跌倒」死亡率皆有明顯的下降，但是在70歲以上男性「墜落」死亡率有上升的趨勢、女性沒有明顯的改變。所有職業中跌倒墜落死亡率最高者為從事「生產員、染布工人、機械操作員、程式設計師……等非體力型勞工」、其次是「建築業、搬運工、礦工、造船工……等體力型勞工」、最低則為「經理階級(管理人員)」。
未來除了持續推動「老人防跌」計畫外，還應注重區分「跌倒」與「墜落」的不同目標族群，做更貼切的防跌設計。此外，職場安全，尤其是針對非體力型勞工的防墜落安全教育，也應特別加強。

Injury was the fifth leading cause of death from 1972 in Taiwan, and it was the predomi-nant cause of death in 0-14 and 15-44 years old. Fall was the third leading cause of injury in every age groups.
Data were obtained from official Vital Statistics System for the period from 1986 to 2007.
The types of “fall” include “fall from different level (E880, E881, E882, E884)”, “fall on the same level (E885, E886)”, and “other and unspecified fall (E883, E887, E888)” by using ICD-9-CM.
The trends of mortality rates were tested with “curve estimation” by using SPSS 14.0 software.
There were 26,973 deaths caused by fall in Taiwan in the 22-year period, and the pre-dominant cause of fall was “fall from one level to another (E884)” (30.26%). The mortality rates in males were higher than females (males 8.05 per 100,000; females 3.23 per 100,000), and without significantly change through the years. Elders aged over 70 years have the highest mortality rate (49.03 per 100,000). Among people of 70-year old or older, the mortality rates of “fall on the same level” descended in both genders, whereas; the mortality rates of “fall from different level” ascended in males, but not in females. The fall mortality rates varied with types of occupational groups. The highest rate was found with “non-physical strength labors”, fol-lowed by “physical strength labors”. The “managers or administrators” had the lowest fall mor-
tality rate.
In order to reduce fall mortality rates effectively, we should continue to promote the fall prevention programs for the elderly. However, different target groups should be differentiated for “fall from the same level” and” fall from different level”. Furthermore, safety education for
non-physical strength labors should also be enhanced.