News Release

U.S. Representatives Hall and Pallone introduce fall prevention legislation

Bill addresses critical public health issue of falls and fall-related injuries among older adults

Washington, D.C. – Representatives Ralph M. Hall (R-4th TX) and Frank Pallone (D-6th NJ) have introduced H.R. 5608 the Keeping Seniors Safe from Falls Act of 2006 in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill addresses the growing public health problem of falls and fall-related injuries among older adults and focuses on preventing the 12,900 senior deaths and 1.8 million senior emergency room visits that occur each year.

The Falls Free Coalition Advocacy Workgroup, consisting of the National Council on the Aging (NCOA), the Home Safety Council (HSC) and the National Safety Council (NSC), commend Representatives Hall and Pallone for their leadership on such an important safety and health issue.

Rep. Hall is a passionate advocate who felt that federal legislation was needed to address this important public health issue. "As someone with first-hand experience of the short and long term damage that falls cause the elderly, I'm pleased to introduce this bill to develop strategies that will prevent and treat falls among older Americans," he said.

Rep. Pallone agrees. "Most people don't realize the significant impact elderly falls have on our society. In reality, these type of accidents are the leading cause of injury deaths among senior citizens and add billions to our nation's health care costs," he said. "The type of education on elderly falls provided through this bill will help inform family members, health professionals and others about how to reduce these avoidable and frequently disabling injuries."

H.R. 5608 will create a national public education and awareness campaign for older adults and their families, and provide for professional education for health care providers about how to prevent falls in their older adult patients. It will expand research and provide demonstration projects to develop better ways to prevent falls and to improve the treatment and rehabilitation of older falls victims. The legislation also requires an evaluation of the effect of falls on Medicare and Medicaid, to look at potentially reducing costs by expanding coverage to include fall-related services.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls are the leading cause of death among seniors and more than one-third of adults 65 years and older fall each year. Alarmingly those rates are increasing and among those who fall, 20 to 30 percent suffer moderate to severe injuries such as hip fractures and head traumas that reduce mobility and independence, and increase the risk of premature death.

Several safety and aging organizations including NCOA, HSC and NSC have been advocating for this legislation on behalf of the Falls Free Coalition, a group of more than 65 national organizations and state coalitions focused on reducing falls and fall-related injuries. The bill incorporates recommendations from Falls Free: Promoting a National Falls Prevention Action Plan, a comprehensive plan of 36 strategies that address the challenges and barriers related to a national falls prevention initiative. The national action plan was developed by Falls Free Coalition members and released in March 2005 at the American Society on Aging and NCOA annual conference.

Download the Falls Free: Promoting a National Falls Prevention Action Plan, and for additional information on falls prevention, log onto www.healthyagingprograms.org, “What’s New.” To access the Coalition’s popular bimonthly newsletter providing an update of coalition activities, as well as highlights of current research findings, community programs, and tools and resources, write to Fallsfree@ncoa.org

About NCOA
Founded in 1950, the National Council on the Aging is a charitable organization dedicated to improving the health and independence of older person and to increasing their continuing contributions to communities, society and future generations. Its 3,800 members include senior centers, adult day service centers, area agencies on aging, faith congregations, senior housing facilities, employment services, and other consumer organizations. NCOA also includes a voluntary network of more than 14,000 leaders from academia, business and labor who support our mission and work.

About the Home Safety Council
The Home Safety Council is the only national nonprofit organization solely dedicated to preventing home-related injuries that result in nearly 20,000 deaths and 21 million medical visits each year. Through national programs, partnerships and support of volunteers, HSC educates people of all ages to be safer in and around their homes. The Home Safety Council is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization located in Washington, D.C.

About the National Safety Council
The National Safety Council is a nonprofit, nongovernmental, international public service organization dedicated to protecting life and promoting health. Members of NSC include more than 48,000 businesses, labor organizations, schools, public agencies, private groups and individuals. Founded in 1913, and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1953, the primary focus of the NSC is preventing injuries on highways and in homes, workplaces and communities.