PRINTER'S NO. 1068
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
168
Session of
2021
INTRODUCED BY SCHWANK, SEPTEMBER 14, 2021
REFERRED TO RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, SEPTEMBER 14, 2021
A RESOLUTION
Designating September 22, 2021, as "Falls Prevention Awareness
Day" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Individuals who are 65 years of age or older are the
fastest growing segment of the population in the United States;
and
WHEREAS, The number of older adults in the United States will
increase from approximately 52 million in 2018 to an estimated
95 million by 2060; and
WHEREAS, Approximately 30% of older adults in the United
States fall each year, with each five-year increment in age
increasing the risk of falls; and
WHEREAS, Falls are the leading cause of both fatal and
nonfatal injuries among older adults; and
WHEREAS, In 2015, the total direct medical cost of fall-
related injuries for older adults, was approximately $50
billion, adjusted for inflation; and
WHEREAS, In 2017, more than 31,000 older adults died from
injuries related to unintentional falls, and the death rate from
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falls of older adults in the United States is expected to
continue to sharply rise to more than 100,000 per year by 2030;
and
WHEREAS, In 2018, approximately 3 million older adults were
treated in hospital emergency departments for fall-related
injuries, and nearly 870,000 of those older adults were
subsequently hospitalized; and
WHEREAS, The annual cost of fall injuries will surpass $100
billion by 2030; and
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;
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate designate September 22, 2021, as
"Falls Prevention Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania to raise
awareness and encourage the prevention of falls among older
adults; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize there are proven, cost-
effective falls prevention programs and policies; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the Senate commend the Pennsylvania State
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 preventing
falls among older adults; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Senate encourage businesses, individuals,
Federal, State and local governments, the public health
community and health care providers to work together to raise
awareness of falls in an effort to reduce the incidence of falls
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among older adults in the United States; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention for its work developing and evaluating
interventions for all members of health care teams to make falls
prevention a routine part of clinical care; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize the Administration for
Community Living for its work to promote access to evidence-
based programs and services in communities across Pennsylvania;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Senate encourage the Department of Health
and Department of Aging to continue providing significant
leadership in reducing injuries and related health care costs by
collaborating with organizations and individuals to reduce falls
among older adults, and to encourage experts in the field of
falls prevention to share their best practices so that their
success can be replicated by others.
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