Pandemic-related decline in injuries related to women wearing high-heeled shoes: Analysis of U.S. data for ۲۰۱۶-۲۰۲۰

Background: Wearing high-heeled shoes is associated with injury risk. During the COVID- ۱۹ pandemic, changes in work and social behavior may have reduced women’s use of such footwear. The aim of the study was to investigate how the trend in high-heeled shoe related injuries (HHSRIs) among U.S. women may have been affected by the COVID-۱۹ pandemic. Methods: This used ۲۰۱۶-۲۰۲۰ data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) to assess HHSRIs among U.S. women. The study included injuries with the “Footwear” product code and selected those with narratives using words suggesting the involvement of high heels. Analysis is based on frequency of such reports by date. Results: In ۲۰۲۰ there were an estimated ۶,۲۹۰ high-heel related emergency department visits involving women ages ۱۵-۶۹, down from ۱۶,۰۰۰ per year in ۲۰۱۶-۲۰۱۹. There were ۵.۴۰ HHSRIs per ۱۰۰,۰۰۰ women ages ۱۵-۶۹ in ۲۰۲۰ (CI: ۳.۹۵ to ۶.۸۶), significantly below the peak in ۲۰۱۷. Analysis by date shows the ۲۰۲۰ decline began after the start of the COVID-۱۹ shutdowns on March ۱۵. There was no significant change in the percentage of fractures or hospital admissions. Conclusion: The COVID-۱۹ pandemic was associated with a decline in reported injuries related to high-heeled shoes among US women. Among these, there was a non-significant increase in more serious injuries, which might suggest pressure to stay away from hospitals for less serious injuries during the pandemic. However, if fewer women wearing such shoes, the result may be fewer injuries in the future

Keywords:

Accidental Falls , Women , Wounds and Injuries