Senator Hassan Introduces Bipartisan Resolution Recognizing September 18 as National Concussion Awareness Day

WASHINGTON – Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) introduced a bipartisan resolution in the Senate recognizing September 18, 2020 as National Concussion Awareness Day. The resolution was also introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressmen Bill Pascrell (D-NJ-9) and Don Bacon (R-NE-2). Last year, the same group of lawmakers introduced a similar measure recognizing September 20, 2019 as National Concussion Awareness Day.

Later today, the Senator will hold a Facebook Live event at 2:45 PM with concussion awareness advocate Brooke Mills from Concord, whom the Senator recognized last year as September’s Granite Stater of the Month, to discuss the importance of concussion awareness, especially for young people. In 2016, then-Governor Hassan established Concussion Awareness Day in New Hampshire as a result of advocacy from Mills. You can watch the Facebook Live event on Senator Hassan’s Facebook page here.

“Countless Granite Staters and Americans suffer a concussion every year, but unfortunately the dangers of these serious injuries are often overlooked, which can lead to long-term health problems,” Senator Hassan said. “I am glad to once again introduce this bipartisan resolution establishing National Concussion Awareness Day, which will help bring much needed attention to this important issue. I also want to thank Brooke Mills, a concussion awareness advocate from Concord, for her efforts to raise awareness and educate her peers about the severity and lasting impacts of concussions.”

“Far too many individuals in West Virginia and across the nation are being treated, hospitalized, and in some cases, experiencing long-term disabilities as a result of concussions,” Senator Capito said. “Increasing awareness of concussion prevention, as well as proper diagnosis and management of concussions, are essential for athletes, coaches, parents, and others. I’m proud to join my colleagues to introduce this resolution and hope this designation will help amplify this message.”

"From the battlefield to local athletic fields, concussions and traumatic brain injuries are an epidemic across our nation. And while public awareness of their reach has grown, even today too many Americans remain in the dark about the impact of concussions on millions of our neighbors," said Representative Pascrell, the co-chairman and co-founder of the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force. "Brain injuries are devastating for countless Americans, their families, and their loved ones. The costs are enormous. This bipartisan effort demonstrates the commitment of both parties and both chambers of the Congress to focus greater attention and resources on the impacts of concussion and brain injury."

“Brian injuries should never be minimized, but too many people, including elected leaders, are not familiar with the terrible realities of TBI,” said Representative Bacon. “Veterans and those impacted by TBI are important advocates for brain injury treatment at the federal level and deserve our unqualified support and respect. I am grateful to partner with my fellow Co-Chairs of the TBI Taskforce to introduce a resolution that will recognize September 18th  2020 as Concussion Awareness Day.”

The resolution that the lawmakers introduced this year recognizes September 18, 2020 as National Concussion Awareness Day and commends organizations that raise awareness about concussions, and encourages further research and prevention efforts. In the Senate, the bipartisan resolution is also cosponsored by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Bob Casey (D-PA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

Read the text of the resolution here or below:

Supporting the designation of September 18, 2020, as ``National Concussion Awareness Day.''

Whereas mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), otherwise known as a concussion, is an important health concern for children, teens, and adults;

Whereas, according to information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—

(1) there are as many as 1,600,000 to 3,800,000 sports-related concussions annually;

(2) as many as 5,300,000 individuals live with a disability because of a traumatic brain injury (TBI);

(3) from 2001 to 2012, the rate of emergency department visits for sports- and recreation-related injuries involving a diagnosis of concussion or traumatic brain injury, alone or in combination with other injuries, more than doubled among children 19 years of age or younger, and, in 2012, an estimated 329,290 children were treated in the United States for sports- and recreation-related injuries that included a diagnosis of concussion or traumatic brain injury; and

(4) current data sources may only capture 1 out of every 9 concussions across the United States;

Whereas the seriousness of concussions should not be minimized in athletics, and return-to-play and return-to-learn protocols can help ensure recovery;

Whereas concussions can affect physical, mental, and social health, and a greater awareness and understanding of proper diagnosis and management of concussions is critical to improved outcomes; and

Whereas the Senate can raise awareness about concussions among the medical community and the public: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate—

(1) supports the designation of September 18, 2020, as “National Concussion Awareness Day”;

(2) recognizes that mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), otherwise known as a concussion, is an important health concern;

(3) commends the organizations and individuals that raise awareness about mild traumatic brain injury;

(4) encourages Federal, State, and local policymakers to work together—

(A) to raise awareness about the effects of concussions; and

(B) to improve the understanding of proper diagnosis and management of concussions; and

(5) encourages further research and prevention efforts to ensure that fewer individuals experience the most adverse effects of mild traumatic brain injury.

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