Designating September 22, 2018, as National Falls Prevention Awareness Day to raise awareness and encourage the prevention of falls among older adults.

Designating September 22, 2018, as National Falls Prevention Awareness Day Whereas individuals who are 65 years of age or older (referred to in this preamble as older adults) are the fastest growing segment of the population in the United States and the number of older adults in the United States will increase from 49,200,000 in 2016 to 94,700,000 in 2060; Whereas more than 1 of 4 older adults in the United States falls each year; Whereas falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries among older adults; Whereas, in 2016, approximately 3,000,000 older adults were treated in hospital emergency departments for fall-related injuries; Whereas, in 2016, more than 29,000 older adults died from injuries related to unintentional falls and the death rate from falls of older adults in the United States has risen sharply in the last decade; Whereas, in 2015, the total direct medical cost of fall-related injuries for older adults, adjusted for inflation, was $50,000,000,000; Whereas, if the rate of increase in falls is not slowed, the annual cost of fall injuries will reach $100,000,000,000 by 2030; and Whereas evidence-based programs reduce falls by utilizing cost-effective strategies, such as exercise programs to improve balance and strength, medication management, vision improvement, reduction of home hazards, and fall prevention education: Now, therefore, be it That the Senate (1) designates September 22, 2018, as National Falls Prevention Awareness Day (2) recognizes that there are proven, cost-effective falls prevention programs and policies; (3) commends the 72 member organizations of the Falls Free Coalition and the falls prevention coalitions in 43 States and the District of Columbia for their efforts to work together to increase education and awareness about preventing falls among older adults; (4) encourages businesses, individuals, Federal, State, and local governments, the public health community, and health care providers to work together to raise awareness of falls in an effort to reduce the incidence of falls among older adults in the United States; (5) recognizes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for its work developing and evaluating interventions for all members of health care teams to make falls prevention a routine part of clinical care; (6) recognizes the Administration for Community Living for its work to promote access to evidence-based programs and services in communities across the United States; (7) encourages State health departments and State units on aging, which provide significant leadership in reducing injuries and related health care costs by collaborating with organizations and individuals, to reduce falls among older adults; and (8) encourages experts in the field of falls prevention to share their best practices so that their success can be replicated by others.

Summary: Designates September 22, 2018, as National Falls Prevention Awareness Day. Recognizes that there are cost-effective falls prevention programs and policies. Commends the Falls Free Coalition and others for their efforts to increase awareness of falls prevention. Recognizes: (1) the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for its work to make falls prevention a routine part of clinical care, and (2) the Administration for Community Living for its work to promote access to evidence-based programs and services.