Teaming Up to Protect Young Athletes

This summer, CDC's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC) is teamed up with the Seattle Seahawks football team and the Brain Injury Association of Washington as part of a campaign to help protect young athletes from a serious, but often underestimated health threat—concussion.

Concussions are a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a jump, blow, or jolt to the head or body that can disrupt the way the brain normally works. NCIPC estimates that as many as 3.8 million sports-and recreation-related concussions occur in the United States each year.

The campaign, titled "Washington Heads Up: Concussion in Sports," is an expansion of NCIPC's "Heads Up: Concussion in High School" and "Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports" initiatives and includes materials and information to help coaches identify concussions and take immediate steps to respond when a concussion is suspected.

To launch the campaign, a clipboard and posters that provide a comprehensive list of signs and symptoms of 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.

In addition, campaign spokesman and former Seattle Seahawks quarterback Brock Huard will also be featured in the campaign's TV public service announcement, expected to air later in 2008 during the football season. The team physician for the Seattle Seahawks and Mariners, Stan Herring, MD, is also holding multiple educational presentations on concussion for coaches and physicians throughout the state.

Coaches are on the frontline in the effort to identify and respond to concussions and they are eager to learn how to keep their athletes safe and healthy. This partnership is helping to equip coaches in the state of Washington with a common-sense approach to help prevent and respond to sports-related concussions.

More Information

• CDC's "Heads Up: Concussion in High School Sports" and "Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports" Initiatives