[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Page 19926]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 674--DESIGNATING SEPTEMBER 22, 2008, AS ``NATIONAL 
 FALLS PREVENTION AWARENESS DAY'' TO RAISE AWARENESS AND ENCOURAGE THE 
                 PREVENTION OF FALLS AMONG OLDER ADULTS

  Ms. MIKULSKI (for herself, Mr. Enzi, Mr. Burr, and Mr. Hatch) 
submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 674

       Whereas older adults value their independence and a fall 
     can significantly limit their ability to remain self-
     sufficient;
       Whereas falls are the leading cause of death from 
     unintentional injuries among older adults in the United 
     States;
       Whereas older adults are by far the population at greatest 
     risk for falling unintentionally, with more than \1/3\ of all 
     people 65 years or older falling each year;
       Whereas older adults who fall once are 2 to 3 times more 
     likely than adults who have not fallen to fall again;
       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 
     moderate 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 
     report 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 
     annually for hospitalization, emergency department visits, 
     and outpatient care;
       Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
     estimate 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 program 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 Public 
     Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280b et seq.) 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 supportive 
     organizations, should be commended for their efforts to raise 
     awareness and to promote greater understanding, research, and 
     pilot programs to prevent falls among older adults: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates September 22, 2008, as ``National Falls 
     Prevention Awareness Day'';
       (2) commends the National Falls Free Coalition and all 
     other supportive organizations for their efforts to promote 
     awareness about preventing and reducing 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 governments to work together to 
     increase education and awareness about the prevention of 
     falls; and
       (4) urges national and community organizations, businesses, 
     individuals, and the media to use National Falls Prevention 
     Awareness Day to promote awareness of this important public 
     health problem in an effort to reduce the incidence of falls 
     among older people in the United States.

  Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, I rise today to submit legislation 
designating September 22, 2008, as National Falls Prevention Awareness 
Day. Earlier this year Senator Enzi and I worked together to pass a law 
that expands research and education on elder falls. Passing our 
resolution is yet another way we can help raise awareness and educate 
the Nation about this serious issue. Falls prevention helps seniors 
live longer, healthier, and more independent lives.
  Falls are the leading cause of injury deaths among older adults. In 
2005, falls among older adults accounted for 16,000 deaths, 1.8 million 
emergency department visas, and 433,000 hospitalizations. In Maryland 
alone, falls resulted in roughly 340 deaths, 23,000 falls-related 
emergency room visits, and 13,000 hospitalizations. The resulting costs 
to the individual, their families, and the health care system are 
avoidable.
  I am pleased to continue to work with the Falls Free Coalition 
Advocacy Work Group comprised of the Home Safety Council, the National 
Council on Aging, the National Safety Council, the American 
Occupational Therapy Association, the American Physical Therapy 
Association, AARP, and many other concerned advocates to prevent elder 
falls. Together, I am hopeful we can continue to improve the quality of 
life for America's seniors through awareness and prevention.

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