[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 67 Introduced in House (IH)]
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118th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. CON. RES. 67
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.
_______________________________________________________________________
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
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 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.
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