[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 122 (Wednesday, September 12, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S6274]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 553--DESIGNATING SEPTEMBER 22, 2012, AS ``NATIONAL 
 FALLS PREVENTION AWARENESS DAY'' TO RAISE AWARENESS AND ENCOURAGE THE 
                 PREVENTION OF FALLS AMONG OLDER ADULTS

  Mr. KOHL (for himself, Ms Mikulski, Ms. Collins, Mr. Enzi, Mr. 
Sanders, Mr. Blumenthal, and Mr. Casey) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 553

       Whereas older adults, 65 years of age and 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 35,000,000 in 2000 to 72,100,000 in 2030;
       Whereas 1 out of 3 older adults in the United States falls 
     each year;
       Whereas falls are the leading cause of injury, death, and 
     hospital admissions for traumatic injuries among older 
     adults;
       Whereas, in 2010, approximately 2,300,000 older adults were 
     treated in hospital emergency departments for fall-related 
     injuries, and more than 650,000 were subsequently 
     hospitalized;
       Whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and 
     Prevention, in 2008, more than 20,000 older adults died from 
     injuries related to unintentional falls;
       Whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and 
     Prevention, the total cost of fall-related injuries for older 
     adults is $80,900,000,000, including more than 
     $28,300,000,000 in direct medical costs;
       Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
     estimate that if the rate of increase in falls is not slowed, 
     the annual cost under the Medicare program will reach 
     $59,600,000,000 by 2020; and
       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: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates September 22, 2012, as ``National Falls 
     Prevention Awareness Day'';
       (2) commends 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 the prevention of falls among 
     older adults;
       (3) encourages businesses, individuals, Federal, State, and 
     local governments, the public health community, and health 
     care providers to work together to promote the awareness of 
     falls in an effort to reduce the incidence of falls among 
     older adults in the United States;
       (4) urges the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to 
     continue developing and evaluating strategies to prevent 
     falls among older adults that will translate into effective 
     fall prevention interventions, including community-based 
     programs;
       (5) encourages State health departments, which provide 
     significant leadership in reducing injuries and injury-
     related health care costs by collaborating with colleagues 
     and a variety of organizations and individuals, to reduce 
     falls among older adults; and
       (6) recognizes proven, cost-effective falls prevention 
     programs and policies and encourages experts in the field to 
     share their best practices so that their success can be 
     replicated by others.

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