Walking Leashed Dogs Associated With Fractures in Older Adults

A study published in JAMA Surgery that associated walking leashed dogs with fall-related fractures among older adults continues to gain traction, reports the American Journal of Managed Care . Analysis of data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database cited 32,624 cases of fall-related fractures connected to walking leashed canines from 2004 to 2017. Over that time span, the yearly number of adults 65 years or older admitted to the 100 U.S. emergency departments included in the database rose from 1,671 in 2004 to 4,396 in 2017. "This study highlights that while there are undoubtedly pros to dog walking . . . risks for falls must be factored into lifestyle recommendations in an effort to minimize such injuries," noted the University of Pennsylvania's Kevin Pirruccio.