Senate designates Sept. 22 National Falls Prevention Awareness Day

Sen. Herb Kohl (D-WI)

The U.S. Senate has passed a resolution intended to raise awareness for fall-prevention practices for the elderly.

The resolution, introduced by Sen. Herb Kohl (D-WI), establishes Saturday, Sept. 22, 2012 — the first day of fall, er, autumn — as “National Falls Prevention Awareness Day.” Kohl chairs the Senate's Special Committee on Aging.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 20,000 older adults died from injuries related to unintended falls in 2008. Falls are the leading cause of injuries in adults over 65. 

“Our goal is to unite professionals, older adults, caregivers, and family members to play a part in raising awareness and preventing falls in the older adult population,” said Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), a co-sponsor of the resolution, in a statement.