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 resolution designates the week of September 21–25, 2020, as "National Falls Prevention Awareness Week." It encourages businesses, governments, health care providers, and the public health community to raise awareness about fall prevention among adults aged 65 and older. It also commends existing coalitions and federal agencies — including the CDC and the Administration for Community Living — for their falls prevention work, and encourages experts to share best practices.
Who benefits
Older adults (age 65+), who are the primary target of awareness efforts. Caregivers and family members of older adults who may gain access to prevention information. Falls prevention advocacy organizations and the 73 member groups of the Falls Free Coalition, which receive formal congressional recognition. State health departments and aging agencies that may see increased public engagement with their programs. Health care providers who may benefit from greater patient awareness.
Who is hurt
This resolution carries no binding legal requirements, spending, or mandates, so no group faces a direct material harm. Indirectly, no competing interests are displaced. There are no identifiable groups negatively affected.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries among older adults, with more than 32,000 deaths and $50 billion in direct medical costs recorded in 2015 alone. They contend that raising public awareness of proven, cost-effective prevention strategies — such as balance exercises, medication management, and home hazard reduction — can reduce these numbers at little to no federal cost, making this a high-value, low-burden public health action.
Opponents argue
Opponents might argue that symbolic resolutions consume limited legislative floor time without creating enforceable obligations or dedicated funding, meaning the awareness goals may go unmet without accompanying appropriations or programmatic action. They could contend that the projected rise in fall-related deaths to over 100,000 per year by 2030 demands substantive policy responses — such as Medicare coverage expansions for fall prevention programs — rather than a non-binding designation that expires after one week.
Constitutional context
No significant constitutional issues are raised by this resolution. Senate resolutions of this type are purely expressive and do not carry the force of law, so they do not implicate the Commerce Clause, Spending Clause, or other enumerated powers analyzed in cases like NFIB v. Sebelius (2012).
Checks and balances
The Senate expresses a non-binding opinion; no branch gains or loses authority, and no executive action or judicial review is triggered by this resolution.
Historical precedent
Congress has regularly passed similar commemorative resolutions designating awareness weeks for public health issues, including prior falls prevention awareness designations in earlier congressional sessions.