Title: Designating the week of September 18 through September 24, 2022, as "National Fall Prevention Awareness Week" to raise awareness about, and encourage the prevention of, falls among older adults.
Policy area: Health

Summary:
This concurrent resolution supports the designation of National Fall Prevention Awareness Week.

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 107 Introduced in House (IH)]

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117th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 107

  Designating the week of September 18 through September 24, 2022, as 
 ``National Fall Prevention Awareness Week'' to raise awareness about, 
       and encourage the prevention of, falls among older adults.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 20, 2022

 Ms. Lois Frankel of Florida (for herself, Mr. Bilirakis, Mr. Morelle, 
 Mrs. Axne, Mr. Evans, Ms. Dean, Ms. Matsui, Ms. Kaptur, Ms. Wasserman 
 Schultz, Ms. Schakowsky, Mr. Deutch, Ms. Norton, Mr. Cole, Mr. Bera, 
Ms. Castor of Florida, Mr. Suozzi, Mrs. Dingell, Mr. Cleaver, Mr. Soto, 
 Ms. Newman, and Ms. Roybal-Allard) submitted the following concurrent 
 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
  Designating the week of September 18 through September 24, 2022, as 
 ``National Fall Prevention Awareness Week'' to raise awareness about, 
       and encourage the prevention of, falls among older adults.

Whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 
        approximately 36,000,000 older adults above age 65 fall each year;
Whereas approximately 3,000,000 older adults visit emergency rooms for falls 
        each year;
Whereas falls among older adults cause 34,000 largely preventable deaths 
        annually;
Whereas more than 1 out of 4 older adults in the United States falls each year;
Whereas falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths among adults aged 
        65 and older each year;
Whereas falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries among 
        adults aged 65 and older;
Whereas beyond the loss of life and independence, the CDC reports that the total 
        direct medical cost of fall-related injuries for older adults is 
        approximately $50,000,000,000 annually, including approximately 
        $29,000,000,000 paid by Medicare, approximately $9,000,000,000 paid by 
        Medicaid, and approximately $12,000,000,000 paid by private and out-of-
        pocket payors;
Whereas if the rate of increase in falls is not slowed, the annual cost of fall 
        injuries will surpass $101,000,000,000 by 2030;
Whereas many falls could be prevented by addressing modifiable biological, 
        behavioral, and environmental risk factors; 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 falls prevention education: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) supports the designation of ``National Fall Prevention 
        Awareness Week'';
            (2) recognizes that there are proven, cost-effective falls 
        prevention programs and policies;
            (3) supports the work of Federal, State, and local 
        governments, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 
        the Administration for Community Living, the Department of 
        Housing and Urban Development, other Federal agencies, local 
        community-based organizations, the public health community, 
        health care providers, businesses, and individuals working 
        collaboratively to address risk factors that contribute to 
        falls among older adults in the United States; and
            (4) encourages continued efforts to reduce and prevent 
        falls and supports Federal investments in fall prevention 
        programs.
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