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latest concussion news:
Concussion sidelines Vikings' QB Brett Favre for Tuesday night's game against the Eagles

Boxing champ Micky Ward subject of the movie "The Fighter" pledges brain to BU

NFL sees 21% increase in reported concussions over last season

German researchers find 10-20% of boxers have persistent impairment from brain trauma

American Academy of Neurology: Concussed athletes should see a specialist before returning to play

theconcussionblog
Mayo Clinic Hockey Summit recommendations include ban on all hits to the head at all levels

Army identifies blood protein marker which may help identify brain injuries including concussions

 
What becomes of athletes who suffer concussions when young?


Scott Laker

Ask Dr. Scott Laker:
Seattle Sports Concussion Program

How many concussions can my son have before he needs to change sports?

  Dr. Laker's answer

 
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NFL toughens stance on concussions, acknowledging long-term risks and life-changing potential
 

Recently released NFL helmet-impact test results should not be applied to collegiate, high school or youth helmets

NFL considers changes to camps and practices to limit concussions; concerned about sub-concussive hits

NCAA makes 3-man wedge illegal this year hoping to reduce concussions, same as NFL

Tennessee tightens concussion policies for coming school year

Study suggests athletes may need even more time after concussion to fully heal

NJ female teen athlete suffered 15 concussions now struggles daily

DC MLS star Namoff suspends career due to lingering symptoms from concussion suffered Sept 09

MLB All-Star players choosing reinforced helmets to reduce head injuries

Neuroplasticity: can our brains grow, change, and heal themselves at any age?

Emergency room visits for kids with head injuries increased 43% in the last five years

LaPorta passes neuropsychological test but doctors don't allow him to return to play

Indians LaPorta shows no sign of concussion after on-field collision and CT scan

High school softball adds concussion rule

Pro soccer player Twellman ends season due to symptoms from concussion suffered 2 years ago

Former Bengals receiver who died of unrelated causes showed signs of trauma-related brain damage at age 26

Pirates players collide leaving second baseman unconscious; out for series with concussion

Study shows most parents unaware of their local school's concussion policies

Six-yr-old sustains concussion attempting flip off diving board

Quebec bans bodychecking in youth hockey and reduces concussions significantly

Pro hockey player suffers post-concussion syndrome, symptoms originally confused with flu

Canadian amateur football association implements concussion rules to protect all amateur players

Neck muscle strength plays a role in concussion prevention

ESPN's  Preston Plevetes' concussion story, former La Salle football player

Zackery Lystedt inspired WA State's concussion law, the Lystedt Law

Eagles wide receiver felt pressured by asst coach to return after concussion last season

Concussion Basics
 

Air Force Academy basketball player plaqued by headaches since Nov. concussion, hopes new medication helps

Are headguards the answer for soccer players?  Some athletes and coaches in ME believe so


Head U Concussions

Raise 7 for Matthew



Every state needs a Lewis Howe
 

Lewis HoweMarch 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
                                                                                                       LewisHowe3

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

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.

Partnerships
 

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


 

 


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