March 19, 2010- If indeed, good things come to those who wait, Lewis Howe, the father of three young boys will consider himself a lucky man someday soon. If Massachusetts lawmakers pass proposed concussion legislation designed to protect youth athletes from catastrophic head injuries, his boys will grow up in a vastly different sports culture than that which exists today. But his wait has been a long one.

CDC's MA Grant Manager

 As part of the Massachusetts Dept. of Public Health’s Division of Violence and Injury Prevention program, Lewis has been the CDC’s core injury prevention grant manager for four years, implementing CDC-funded programs including those related to concussions suffered by youth athletes. It’s safe to say no grass grows under his feet. He was instrumental in creating the proposed concussion legislation initially introduced in January 2009 by Sen. Steven Baddour (D-Methuen). “We need a law such as this, and while it doesn’t address all of the issues initially, it was important that we begin with what’s doable, and what’s enforceable,” Lewis said recently. “We’re not placing any financial burden on the struggling school districts, we’re simply trying to institute policies that will enhance the safety of all youth athletes.”

Bill working its way through the legislature

In its current form Massachusetts Bill 796 would enhance safety in the following ways:
1) A Head Injury Safety Training program would be required for all coaches, trainers, volunteer team physicians, athletes, and parent volunteers
2) Athletes may not return to play in a game or practice in which they have previously lost consciousness
3) Athletes who have been diagnosed with a concussion must obtain written return-to-play authorization from a physician
4) Coaches face penalties for non-compliance, including revocation of their coaching permit
                                                                                                      

The bill does not address non-profit youth sports organizations, nor does it provide guidance as to the coaches’ responsibility toward a player if a concussion is suspected without loss of consciousness. But perhaps that will be stressed through intensive training.             

Ed Hill of Fall River, whose daughter Michelle suffered seven concussions before sitting out her senior year sees an enormous benefit on the horizon, “I know without a doubt that if we had been aware of the nature and danger of concussions long before she suffered her last one, her outcome would have been very different.” Ed and Michelle have been extremely active and effective in educating others all over the Commonwealth and sharing the lessons they’ve learned (see feature story).

It seems if you talk to anyone involved in concussion education in the state of Massachusetts, all roads lead to Lewis. This comes as a surprise to him, but he is proud of a several things, including the implementation of a large, influential network of professional organizations he has helped build called the Massachusetts Prevent Injury Now! Network or MassPINN. Although the group focuses on a broad spectrum of injuries, the concussion coalition includes some of the most notable individuals in the field.

Among them are Dr. Robert Cantu/ Boston Univ., Dr. Neil McGrath/Sports Concussion NE, Chris Nowinski/Sports Legacy Institute, Dr. Greg Parkinson/American Academy of Pediatrics, Lisa Allee/Boston Medical Center, Linda Lacke/Mass General Hospital and the MIAA.

Lewis and his partners have distributed over 2,000  CDC "Heads Up" concussion toolkits to hospitals, school districts, and community-based organizations in the past 15 months. They also arrange education clinics for medical professionals, coaches, parents, and athletes.

So if and when the Massachusetts concussion bill becomes law, it’s due in great measure to the vision and energy of not only the legislators, but of Lewis Howe, his partners, and the families like Ed Hill’s who have children who have suffered and are willing to stand up and lend their voices to help keep others safe.
Lewis has found that it does indeed take a village, and by building one in Massachusetts he’s doing his part to help student-athletes statewide avoid unnecessary, life-altering injuries.

Lewis Howe can be reached at Lewis.Howe@state.ma.us