•HRES 1478 IH 
Whereas, in 2000, the Bureau of the Census reported that 
more than 34,800,000 adults older than the age of 65 
live in the United States, and that number is expected to 
grow to almost 55,000,000 by 2020; 
Whereas 20 to 30 percent of older adults who fall suffer mod-
erate to severe injuries, such as bruising, hip fractures, 
and head traumas; 
Whereas, in 2005, falls resulted in nearly 1,800,000 older 
adults being treated in emergency departments and more 
than 433,000 older adults being hospitalized; 
Whereas, in 2005, nearly 16,000 people aged 65 and older 
died from injuries related to unintentional falls; 
Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention re-
port that the mortality rate from falls among older adults 
increased 45 percent between 2000 and 2004; 
Whereas the total in direct costs associated with both fatal 
and non-fatal falls is more than $19,000,000,000 annu-
ally for hospitalization, emergency department visits, and 
outpatient care; 
Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention esti-
mate that if the rate of increase in falls is not stemmed, 
annual direct treatment costs will reach $43,800,000,000 
by 2020, with an annual cost under the Medicare pro-
gram of $32,400,000,000; 
Whereas evidence-based programs show promise in reducing 
falls and facilitating cost-effective interventions, such as 
comprehensive clinical assessments, exercise programs to 
improve balance and health, management of medications, 
correction of vision, and reduction of home hazards; 
Whereas, on April 23, 2008, the Safety of Seniors Act of 
2007 (Public Law 110–202) was enacted, amending the 
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•HRES 1478 IH 
Public Health Service Act to create a national education 
campaign aimed at older adults, their families, and 
healthcare providers, and injury prevention programs 
that focus on the reduction and prevention of falls among 
older adults; and 
Whereas the Falls Free Coalition Advocacy Work Group, its 
numerous supporting organizations and all other sup-
portive organizations, have designated September 22 as 
‘‘National Falls Prevention Awareness Day’’ and should 
be commended for their efforts to raise awareness and to 
promote greater understanding, research, and pilot pro-
grams to prevent falls among older adults: Now, there-
fore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) supports the goals and ideals of ‘‘National 
Falls Prevention Awareness Day’’ as recognized by 
Falls Free Coalition; 
(2) commends the National Falls Free Coalition 
and all other supportive organizations for their ef-
forts to promote awareness about preventing and re-
ducing falls among older people in the United 
States; 
(3) encourages the private sector, the public 
health community, healthcare providers, advocacy 
organizations, and Federal, State, and local govern-
ments to work together to increase education and 
awareness about the prevention of falls; and 
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•HRES 1478 IH 
(4) urges national and community organiza-
tions, businesses, individuals, and the media to use 
National Falls Prevention Awareness Day to pro-
mote awareness of this important public health prob-
lem in an effort to reduce the incidence of falls 
among older people in the United States. 
Æ 
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