Title: A resolution designating September 2021 as "National Healthy Aging Month" to raise awareness of and encourage healthy lifestyle behaviors and the prevention and management of chronic health conditions among older adults.
Policy area: Health

Summary:
This resolution designates September 2021 as Healthy Aging Month.

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 403 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 403

Designating September 2021 as ``National Healthy Aging Month'' to raise 
    awareness of and encourage healthy lifestyle behaviors and the 
  prevention and management of chronic health conditions among older 
                                adults.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           September 30, 2021

  Mr. Scott of South Carolina (for himself, Mr. Kelly, Mr. Casey, Mr. 
 Blumenthal, Mr. Warnock, Mr. Braun, Ms. Collins, Mr. Rubio, Mr. Scott 
  of Florida, Mrs. Gillibrand, and Mr. Burr) submitted the following 
             resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Designating September 2021 as ``National Healthy Aging Month'' to raise 
    awareness of and encourage healthy lifestyle behaviors and the 
  prevention and management of chronic health conditions among older 
                                adults.

Whereas individuals who are 65 years of age or older 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 approximately 56,100,000 
        in 2020 to an estimated 80,800,000 by 2040;
Whereas 90 percent of the $3,800,000,000,000 in annual health care expenditures 
        in the United States are for people with chronic physical and mental 
        health conditions;
Whereas 80 percent of older adults have at least 1 chronic condition and nearly 
        70 percent of Medicare beneficiaries have 2 or more chronic conditions;
Whereas more than 868,000 people in the United States die of heart disease or 
        stroke every year, costing the health care system of the United States 
        $214,000,000,000 per year and causing $138,000,000,000 in lost 
        productivity on the job;
Whereas, each year, more than 1,700,000 people in the United States are 
        diagnosed with cancer and almost 600,000 die from it, costing an 
        estimated $174,000,000,000 in 2020;
Whereas more than 34,200,000 people in the United States have diabetes and 
        another 88,000,000 adults in the United States have prediabetes, putting 
        them at risk for type 2 diabetes, both of which cost a total estimated 
        $327,000,000,000 in medical costs for diagnosed diabetes and lost 
        productivity in 2017;
Whereas obesity affects 19 percent of children and 42 percent of adults, 
        including older adults who have obesity rates exceeding 37.5 percent in 
        males and 39.4 percent in females, costing the health care system 
        $147,000,000,000 per year;
Whereas falls are the leading cause of injury, and injury-related death, among 
        older adults and result in medical costs totaling $50,000,000,000 per 
        year, 75 percent of which are paid by Medicare and Medicaid;
Whereas approximately 20 percent of older adults experience some type of 
        behavioral health concern, including anxiety, depression, bipolar 
        disorder, cognitive impairment, and substance use disorders, which are 
        often factors in suicide among older adults;
Whereas factors that influence healthy aging include--

    (1) improving diet and exercise;

    (2) managing risk factors for physical and behavioral health 
conditions, as well as falls;

    (3) keeping up with regular health screenings and preventative care; 
and

    (4) staying socially active; and

Whereas, as of August 2021, nearly 11,000 senior centers serve 1,000,000 older 
        adults aged 50 and older, helping them continue to be part of a 
        community, exercise, and receive nutritious meals: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates September 2021 as ``Healthy Aging Month''; 
        and
            (2) encourages the people of the United States to provide 
        opportunities for older individuals to continue to flourish 
        by--
                    (A) emphasizing the importance of exercise, 
                nutrition, health promotion, disease prevention, and 
                social engagement;
                    (B) encouraging the balance of mind, body, and 
                spirit, as older individuals can share their wisdom, 
                experience, and skills with younger generations; and
                    (C) recognizing that people in the United States 
                are living longer and a healthy lifestyle will help 
                enhance later life experiences.
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