H.Con.Res. 129

[Congressional Bills 118th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H. Con. Res. 129 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. CON. RES. 129 Supporting the designation of the week of September 22 through September 28, 2024, 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 23, 2024 Ms. Lois Frankel of Florida (for herself, Mrs. Miller of West Virginia, Mr. Morelle, Mr. Magaziner, Mr. Bilirakis, Mr. Allred, Ms. Barragan, Mr. Bera, Ms. Budzinski, Ms. Castor of Florida, Mr. Cleaver, Mr. Davis of North Carolina, Ms. Dean of Pennsylvania, Mrs. Hayes, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Ms. Kaptur, Mr. Khanna, Mr. Lawler, Ms. Matsui, Mr. Moskowitz, Mr. Nadler, Ms. Norton, Mr. Pocan, Mr. Grijalva, Ms. Schakowsky, Mr. Soto, Ms. Stevens, 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 22 through September 28, 2024, 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 (CDC), there are approximately 14,000,000 falls among older adults over age 65 each year; Whereas these falls result in approximately 3,000,000 emergency room visits each year; Whereas falls among older adults cause 39,000 largely preventable deaths annually; Whereas more than 1 out of 4 older adults in the United States falls each year; Whereas falls are the leading cause of injury and injury-related deaths among adults aged 65 and older each year; 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 $80,000,000,000 annually, including approximately $53,300,000,000 paid by Medicare, approximately $3,500,000,000 paid by Medicaid, and approximately $23,200,000,000 paid by private and out-of- pocket payors; Whereas many falls could be prevented by addressing modifiable biological, behavioral, and environmental risk factors; Whereas evidence-based programs reduce falls 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 the designation of the week of September 22 through September 28, 2024, as ``National Fall Prevention Awareness Week'' would help increase awareness of falls among older adults, how to identify and reduce fall risks, and how to prevent falls among older adults: 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 government entities, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Administration for Community Living, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and other Federal agencies, local community-based organizations, the public health community, health care providers, businesses, and individuals who work collaboratively to address risk factors that contribute to falls among older adults in the United States; and (4) encourages continued efforts to reduce and prevent falls and supports Federal investments in fall prevention programs. <all>