Supporting the designation of the week of September 17 through September 23, 2023, as "National Fall Prevention Awareness Week" to raise awareness about, and encourage the prevention of, falls among older adults.

Bill: 118-hconres-67
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Frankel, Lois [D-FL-22]
Introduced: 2023-09-21
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Aging

Commemorative events and holidays

Health promotion and preventive care
Latest action: action_date: 2023-09-22
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Summaries:
action_date: 2023-09-21
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p>This concurrent resolution supports the designation of National Fall Prevention Awareness Week.</p>

tv_txt: IV 118th CONGRESS 1st Session H. CON. RES. 67 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES September 21, 2023 Ms. Lois Frankel of Florida (for herself, Mrs. Miller of West Virginia , Ms. Granger , Mr. Morelle , Mr. Bilirakis , Mr. Bera , Mr. Carter of Louisiana , Ms. Castor of Florida , Mrs. Cherfilus-McCormick , Mr. Cleaver , Ms. Dean of Pennsylvania , Mrs. Dingell , Mr. Espaillat , Mr. Evans , Mr. Frost , Mr. Grijalva , Ms. Norton , Mr. Jackson of Illinois , Mr. Johnson of Georgia , Ms. Kaptur , Ms. Matsui , Mr. Moskowitz , Mr. Nadler , Mr. Pappas , Ms. Schakowsky , Mr. Soto , Ms. Wasserman Schultz , and Ms. Wilson of Florida ) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce CONCURRENT RESOLUTION Supporting the designation of the week of September 17 through September 23, 2023, 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 (hereinafter referred to as the CDC ), each year there are approximately 37,000,000 falls by adults aged 65 and older; Whereas such falls result in approximately 3,000,000 emergency room visits each year; Whereas falls by adults aged 65 and older cause 39,000 largely preventable deaths annually; Whereas more than 1 out of 4 adults aged 65 and older in the United States fall each year; Whereas, each year, falls are the leading cause of injury and injury-related deaths 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 many falls by older adults could be prevented by addressing modifiable biological, behavioral, and environmental risk factors; Whereas evidence-based programs reduce falls by older adults 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; and Whereas designating the week of September 17 through September 23, 2023, as National Fall Prevention Awareness Week would help increase awareness of falls by older adults, including increasing awareness of how to identify and reduce fall risks and how to prevent falls: Now, therefore, be it

That Congress— (1) supports the designation of National Fall Prevention Awareness Week ; (2) recognizes that there are proven, cost-effective fall 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; (4) encourages continued efforts to reduce and prevent falls; and (5) supports Federal investments in fall prevention programs.