Teaming Up to Protect Young Athletes
New Partnership to Help Washington State Coaches Recognize and Respond to Concussions |
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is teaming up with the Seattle Seahawks and the Brain Injury Association of Washington as part of a campaign to help prevent young athletes from sustaining concussions, a serious but often underestimated health threat in the United States. Concussions are a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body that can disrupt the way the brain normally works. As many as 3.8 million sports- and recreation-related concussions occur annually in the United States.
Coaches and parents:
If you suspect a concussion, you should:
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The campaign, “Washington Heads Up: Concussion in Sports,” is an expansion of CDC’s
“Heads Up: Concussion in High School” and “Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports” initiatives. It includes materials and information to help coaches identify concussions and take immediate steps to respond when one is suspected. Campaign spokesman and former Seattle Seahawks quarterback Brock Huard
is featured in the campaign’s
TV public service announcement, expected to air later this year.
As part of the campaign, clipboards and posters providing a comprehensive list of signs and symptoms of a concussion, as well as important steps to take when a concussion is suspected, will be mailed to every middle and high school in Washington State along with a letter from the Seattle Seahawks. Campaign materials also emphasize the methods coaches and parents should practice to best protect athletes and prevent long-term problems: More Information on Concussion Prevention and Response Watch a Video Listen to a Podcast
The following is a list of information and resources on concussion prevention and response:
Prevent Concussions
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Prevent Head Injuries |
Concussion Toolkit |
Students Play Safe |
Sports Safety |
Download Tools and Resources
- Download the Tool Kit on Concussion for High School Coaches
- Download the Tool kit on Concussion for Youth Sports Coaches
- Download the Tool Kit on Concussion for Physicians
- Nonfatal Traumatic Brain Injuries from Sports and Recreation Activities — United States, 2001–2005 (MMWR, July 27, 2007)
- Concussion and Sports Fact Sheet
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Facts Sheets
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Page last modified:September 15, 2008