Senators Hassan, Capito and Representatives Pascrell, Bacon Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Declaring Concussion Awareness Day
WASHINGTON – Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) introduced a bipartisan resolution in the Senate recognizing today, September 20th, 2019, as 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).
“Concussions can cause lasting damage to the brain, especially for young people,” Senator Hassan said. “I am encouraged that members on both sides of aisle, and in both chambers, have introduced this important resolution to help bring more awareness to the serious nature of concussions.”
“Far too many children, teens, and adults 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. “Greater awareness and understanding of concussion prevention, as well as proper diagnosis and management of concussions, are essential for athletes, coaches, parents, and others. I hope that the designation of a national ‘Concussion Awareness Day’ will help amplify this important message.”
“From professional athletes on the field, to military servicemembers defending our country, to a young child falling from her bicycle, brain injury is a looming threat in all walks of life. While the circumstances surrounding the cause of injury may vary greatly, the dangers of the injury do not. As co-chair and founder of the Congressional Traumatic Brain Injury Task Force, increasing awareness and funding treatment protocols for individuals with brain injury remains one of my top priorities,” said Representative Pascrell. “The Concussion Awareness Day Resolution signals not only the urgency with which we operate to prevent and treat concussion, but also increasing awareness of brain injury. I am committed to continuing that work so long as brain injuries remain a prevalent threat in every-day life.”
“In Nebraska, it is estimated that over 300,000 people have suffered a traumatic brain injury and nearly 37,000 people live with a disability caused by a TBI,” said Representative Bacon. “I am grateful to partner with my fellow Co-Chairs of the TBI Task Force to introduce a resolution that will recognize September 20th as Concussion Awareness Day. We need to raise more awareness on the severity and serious risks associated with TBIs.”
In 2016, as Governor, Hassan established Concussion Awareness Day as a result of advocacy from a Granite Stater, Brooke Mills, who suffered a concussion as a freshman in high school. The resolution introduced in Congress recognizes September 20, 2019 as National Concussion Awareness Day, commends organizations that raise awareness about concussions, and encourages further research and prevention efforts.
Read the text of the resolution here or below:
Supporting the designation of September 20, 2019, 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 20, 2019, 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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