SRES-734-116
Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S5998; text: CR S5984-5985)
Sponsored by Susan Collins (R-ME)
What it does
This Senate resolution officially designates the week of September 21–25, 2020, as "National Falls Prevention Awareness Week." It encourages public awareness efforts 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. The resolution carries no legal mandates, spending, or regulatory requirements.
Who benefits
Older adults (age 65+), who are the primary target of fall-prevention awareness messaging, may benefit from increased public attention to fall risks. Federal agencies such as the CDC and organizations like the National Council on Aging that work on fall prevention receive formal congressional recognition. Healthcare providers and public health advocates focused on aging issues also gain a platform for outreach.
Who is hurt
No specific group is directly or materially harmed by this resolution. It imposes no mandates, costs, or restrictions on any individual, business, or government entity.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries among adults aged 65 and older, making public awareness a meaningful public health tool. A formal congressional designation amplifies the reach of existing fall-prevention campaigns by lending federal visibility to the issue. Supporters contend that even a symbolic resolution can prompt healthcare providers, community organizations, and families to have conversations that lead to concrete preventive actions — such as home safety assessments, exercise programs, and medication reviews — at no cost to taxpayers.
Opponents argue
Opponents argue that symbolic resolutions consume limited Senate floor time without producing measurable health outcomes, since the designation carries no funding, no programmatic requirements, and no enforcement mechanism. They contend that if fall prevention among older adults is a genuine legislative priority, Congress should instead direct resources toward evidence-based programs rather than passing non-binding proclamations. Critics also note that awareness weeks have proliferated to the point where individual designations may have little practical effect on public behavior or health outcomes.