Health statistics show that more elderly fatal falls occur in Lee County in southwest Florida than any other part of the state, but authorities aren't sure why.
According to numbers released by the Florida Department of Health, fatal falls happen more than twice as often in Lee County than other parts of the state. In 2007, 122 seniors died from falls in Lee County, a rate of more than 21 per 100,000 seniors. That compares to 9 deaths from falls per 100,000 seniors statewide.
Lee County health officials aren't sure why it is so high here. Other counties in the area -- Collier and Charlotte -- aren't as high.
Dr. Lowell Gerson of Bonita Springs believes it has to do with Lee County having a larger number of older seniors than the rest of the state.
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