A recent review in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that fall-related deaths for those aged 65 and better have more than tripled over the past thirty years. Those at highest risk are aged 85 and better. Interestingly, other high-income countries have seen fall-related deaths go down during the same period.
Source: T. Farley, JAMA (2025). Annotated by Your Local Epidemiologist.
There are many possible reasons for the increase, including medication side effects, changes in how deaths are reported, and increased frailty. Living longer is a gift, but it can also bring more health challenges.
Falls are not an inevitable part of aging; most can be prevented. By starting fall prevention early, we can educate clients to set activity goals, strengthen muscles, improve balance, and make simple home changes that lower their risk and keep them independent longer. But funding for these programs is at risk.
Congress is still debating and has not yet passed the federal budget for Fiscal Year 2026, which begins on October 1, 2025. Current proposals mostly keep funding for Older Americans Act (OAA) programs the same, with small increases for Supportive Services, Senior Centers, Native American services, and Elder Rights.
However, funding for some health programs could be cut. The current draft eliminates the Prevention and Public Health Fund, which would remove:
- $8 million for Chronic Disease Self-Management Education (CDSME)
- $5 million of $7.5 million for Falls Prevention
- $15.7 million of $31.5 million for the Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative
Funding programs for older adults, like the Older Americans Act, is a cost-effective investment. Cutting or keeping funding the same doesn’t keep up with the growing need. Supporting older adults to live safely at home and in their communities not only improves lives, it saves money in the long run.
Your voice matters. Continued advocacy is essential to protect aging services, and the community programs so many rely on. Call your Members of Congress today. You can find their contact information at: house.gov and senate.gov.