Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries for older Americans. Falls threaten seniors' safety and independence, and generate enormous economic and personal costs.

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Simona Combi
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Arlington, VA (June 30, 2022) — The following is a statement by Ramsey Alwin, president and CEO of the National Council on Aging (NCOA), in response to FY23 funding increases approved today by the House Appropriations Committee.

We applaud the committee for passing historic investments in falls prevention. One in four Americans age 65+ falls each year. Falls are the leading cause of fatal injury and the most common cause of nonfatal trauma-related hospital admissions among older adults. With or without injury, falls have a significant impact on a person’s life.

“We appreciate Congresswoman Lois Frankel (D-FL) for championing an investment in this critical public health issue, which costs the nation $50 billion every year. We urge Congress to pass these funding levels to ensure all older adults can age well:

• Doubling funding to $10 million for the Administration for Community Living’s falls prevention competitive grants, which support the efforts of community organizations to foster innovation, expand reach through partnerships, and target underserved populations with evidence-based falls prevention programs.
• Investing $1 million in the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Healthy Aging and Age Friendly Communities, to enable coordination of federal programs and benefits that empower older adults to remain independent in their own homes and communities.
• Launching the newly authorized Research, Demonstration, and Evaluation Center with first-time funding of $10 million to improve the identification, evaluation, and dissemination of innovative, proven Older Americans Act strategies and services to foster older Americans’ health and independence.
• Doubling funding to just over $4 million for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention elderly falls initiatives, to expand their research and data related to fall risks, prevalence, costs, and proven interventions, with a focus on effective clinical interventions and dissemination of clinical tools and resources to help health care providers conduct falls prevention.

“We also urge Congress to pass additional provisions in the bill that support older adults, including increasing the Medicare State Health Insurance Assistance Program by nearly $3 million to $58 million and boosting funding for the Senior Community Service Employment Program by $45 million to $450 million.

“These funding levels are an important down payment on the real challenges facing today’s older adults as they seek to remain healthy, independent, and economically secure.”

About NCOA
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is the national voice for every person’s right to age well. We believe that how we age should not be determined by gender, color, sexuality, income, or ZIP code. Working with thousands of national and local partners, we provide resources, tools, best practices, and advocacy to ensure every person can age with health and financial security. Founded in 1950, we are the oldest national organization focused on older adults. Follow us at @NCOAging.