Nebraska Injury Prevention Program
A Concussion is a Brain Injury!
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that can change the way your brain normally works.
Often referred to as a TBI, a concussion can also occur from a fall or a blow to the body that causes the head and brain to move quickly back and forth.
Health care professionals may describe a concussion as a "mild" brain injury because concussions are usually not life-threatening. Even so, their effects can be serious even if you've just been "dinged" or "had your bell rung.”
A concussion is a brain injury and all are serious.
Most concussions occur without loss of consciousness.
Recognition and proper response to concussions when they first occur can help prevent further injury or even death.
Research had led to an increased awareness of the short-term and long-term consequences of concussions and the need to treat them as a serious injury.
The Nebraska Concussion Awareness Act became effective July 1, 2012. It requires that concussion education be made available to coaches, parents and athletes. It also sets rules for return to play for athletes suspected of having a concussion. The law was amended effective July, 2014, to include a return to learn provision.
This website provides details about the Nebraska Concussion Awareness Act, links to approved training, fact sheets, and other important information.
The Injury Prevention Program is working with partners to evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of the Nebraska Concussion Awareness Act. High school athletic directors and head coaches were surveyed. Youth who had been diagnosed with a sports-related concussion were surveyed by the Brain Injury Association of Nebraska. Highlights and full reports of each of the surveys are below.
Survey Highlights
Highlights - 2013 Athletic Director Survey
Highlights - 2013 Head Coach Survey
Highlights - 2013 Youth Survey
Full Survey Results
2015 Nebraska Sports Concussion Athletic Director Survey Results
2015 Nebraska Sports Concussion Head Coach Survey Results
2013 Nebraska Sports Concussion Athletic Director Survey Results
2013 Nebraska Sports Concussion Head Coach Survey Results
2013 Nebraska Sports Concussion Youth Survey Results