Protecting Student Athletes from Concussions: The Reintroduced Bill

Strategic Insights -

The Protecting Student Athletes from Concussions Act, a bill reintroduced by Senator Richard J. Durbin (D-IL) in recognition of National Concussion Awareness Day, aims to strengthen elementary and secondary school procedures for preventing, identifying, and treating students who sustain concussions. This legislation is endorsed by major professional and college sports organizations, highlighting the importance of prioritizing student athletes' health and safety.

Key Takeaways:

  • The bill would require states to adopt a "when in doubt, sit it out" policy, which prevents student athletes suspected of having sustained a concussion from returning to play the same day and only allows them to return to play once they have been evaluated and cleared by a qualified health care professional.
  • The policy is based on an American College of Sports Medicine's 2021 report on concussions and the American Academy of Neurology's guidelines on sports concussions, which recommend that any athlete suspected of a concussion should not return to play on the day of their injury under any circumstance.
  • Over 254,126 students sustained concussions in the 2023-24 school year across a national sample of nine high school sports, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations.
  • The bill's sponsors, Senator Durbin and Representative Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA-10), emphasize the importance of taking head injuries seriously, particularly in youth sports.
  • Implementing the "when in doubt, sit it out" policy will protect the health of student athletes, as supported by organizations such as the American College of Sports Medicine, the American Academy of Neurology, and the National Federation of State High School Associations.
  • Organizations endorsing the bill include major professional and college sports organizations, as well as health and disability advocacy groups.

Statistics:

  • Approximately 254,126 students sustained concussions in the 2023-24 school year across a national sample of nine high school sports [1].
  • The bill is endorsed by 23 organizations, including major professional and college sports organizations, health and disability advocacy groups, and professional medical associations [2].

Sources:

  • Durbin, R. J. (2023). Release by Illinois Senator Richard J. Durbin.
  • DeSaulnier, M. (2023). Release by U.S. Representative Mark DeSaulnier.
  • National Federation of State High School Associations. (2023). NFHS Athletics Participation Survey.
  • American College of Sports Medicine. (2021). Concussions and Brain Injury.
  • American Academy of Neurology. (n.d.). Sports Concussions.