Pandemic-related decline in injuries related to women wearing high-heeled shoes: Analysis of U.S. data for 2016-2020

Abstract

Background: Wearing high-heeled shoes is associated with injury risk. During the COVID-19 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-19 pandemic. Methods: This used 2016-2020 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 2020 there were an estimated 6,290 high-heel related emergency department visits involving women ages 15-69, down from 16,000 per year in 2016-2019. There were 5.40 HHSRIs per 100,000 women ages 15-69 in 2020 (CI: 3.95 to 6.86), significantly below the peak in 2017. Analysis by date shows the 2020 decline began after the start of the COVID-19 shutdowns on March 15. There was no significant change in the percentage of fractures or hospital admissions. Conclusion: The COVID-19 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