Every state needs a Lewis Howe |
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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: 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). Successful partnerships make the difference
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.
Lewis Howe can be reached at
Lewis.Howe@state.ma.us
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