213185 A public policy success story: The Safety of Seniors Act

Monday, November 9, 2009: 2:50 PM

Patricia Adkins, MBA , Director of Public Policy, Home Safety Council, Washington, DC
The presenter will explain the key elements and challenges in achieving legislative success at the federal level by using the Safety of Seniors Act as a case study in older adult falls prevention policy. The presenter will discuss how to frame the older adult falls issue, control the message, build support within Congress and through coalitions, recover from setbacks, and ultimately achieve passage of and funding for provisions of the Act. The presenter will conclude with examples of how collaboration at the federal and state levels is critical to advancing and sustaining falls prevention awareness, programs, and policies.

Learning Objectives:
Explain the elements and challenges in achieving a successful policy outcome at the federal level Highlight the impact of the Safety of Seniors Act on older adult falls prevention awareness, programs, and state and local policy engagement

Keywords: Injury Prevention, Policy/Policy Development

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: For six years, I have served as the Director of Public Policy for the Home Safety Council, a nonprofit organization that engages in research, public education, and advocacy on the top five injuries that occur in and around the home – falls, poison, fires and burns, choking/suffocation, and drowning. I serve as the coordinator for the Falls Free Coalition Advocacy Work Group, a group of 30 national organizations, which was instrumental in passage of Public Law 110-202 - the Safety of Seniors Act. Prior to joining the Home Safety Council, I was chief of staff to the chairman of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission for over seven years which included liaison responsibilities with Congressional offices, federal agencies, and the Administration on the agency’s health and safety agenda. I received my BA and MBA from Howard University in Washington, DC.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Successes in Public Health Programs and Policy: Older Adult Falls as an Injury Prevention Model
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