​The study examines falling two or more times in the past year by racial/ethnic groups (Asian Americans, Hispanics, and Blacks) aged 65 years or older, adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics, body mass index, co-morbidities, and functional limitations using 2011-2012 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) data. A secondary analysis examines differences in fall risk by English language proficiency and race/ethnicity among Asian-Americans and Hispanics.

Findings: Asian Americans were significantly less likely to fall compared to non-Hispanic whites, individuals with two or more chronic diseases were significantly more likely to fall than individuals with less than two chronic diseases, and many functional limitations were significantly associated with fall risk, when adjusting for all factors.

Black or African Americans and Hispanics did not differ significantly from non-Hispanic whites. Analysis adjusting for race/ethnicity and English language proficiency found that limited English proficient Asian Americans were significantly less likely to fall compared to non-Hispanic whites, individuals with two or more chronic diseases were significantly more likely to fall than individuals with less than two chronic diseases, and all functional limitations were significantly associated with fall risk, when adjusting for all factors.

No differences were found when examining by racial/ethnic and English proficient/limited English proficient groups.