SRES-327-116
Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S5669-5670; text: CR S5666-5667)
Sponsored by Susan Collins (R-ME)
What it does
This resolution designates September 23, 2019, as "National Falls Prevention Awareness Day." It encourages the public to learn about preventing falls among older adults and formally recognizes the federal agencies and private organizations that work to reduce fall-related injuries in that population. As a simple Senate resolution, it does not create law, appropriate funds, or impose any requirements.
Who benefits
Older adults (age 65+), who are the primary population at risk for fall-related injuries and deaths, may benefit from increased public awareness. Organizations and agencies focused on fall prevention — such as the CDC's STEADI initiative and the National Council on Aging — receive formal congressional recognition. Healthcare providers who treat fall-related injuries may see indirect benefit if awareness efforts reduce patient volume over time.
Who is hurt
No group is directly or materially harmed by this resolution. It carries no enforcement mechanism, no spending, and no regulatory requirements. There are no identifiable parties who bear costs or burdens as a result of its passage.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries among Americans aged 65 and older, resulting in significant human suffering and billions of dollars in annual healthcare costs. A dedicated awareness day, they contend, costs taxpayers nothing while providing a platform for public health organizations to amplify evidence-based prevention messages — such as exercise programs, medication reviews, and home safety modifications. Congressional recognition, supporters say, lends credibility to these efforts and encourages coordination among federal agencies, state health departments, and community organizations that might otherwise operate in silos.
Opponents argue
Opponents argue that symbolic resolutions of this kind consume limited congressional floor time and resources without producing measurable public health outcomes. They contend that if fall prevention among older adults is a genuine legislative priority, Congress should instead direct funding toward proven intervention programs, research, or Medicare coverage expansions — actions with enforceable, trackable results. Critics also suggest that the proliferation of "awareness day" designations dilutes their impact, making it less likely that any single designation meaningfully changes public behavior or institutional practice.