CDC should set up youth sports concusssion surveillance system - Institute of Medicine

The Institute of Medicine in a new report has called for the Centers for Disease Control to establish a national surveillance system for your concussion injuries. - gwc

Report Brief - Institute of Medicine:
Sports-Related Concussions in Youth: Improving the Science, Changing the Culture finds that while some studies provide useful information, much remains unknown about the extent of concussions in youth; how to diagnose, manage, and prevent concussions; and the short- and long-term consequences of concussions as well as repetitive head impacts that do not result in concussion symptoms.

Charting the Unknowns

Currently, there is a lack of data concerning the overall incidence of sports-related concussions in youth, although the number of reported concussions has risen over the past decade. A number of factors may have contributed to this increase, including more awareness and better recognition of such injuries.

Among male athletes at the high school and collegiate levels, football, ice hockey, lacrosse, wrestling, and soccer consistently are associated with the highest rates of concussions. Among female athletes, high school and collegiate sports associated with the highest rates of concussions are soccer, lacrosse, basketball, and ice hockey. There has been little research on the frequency of concussions among athletes in intramural and club sports and in athletes younger than high school age.

To help close data gaps, the committee calls for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to establish and oversee a national surveillance system to accurately determine the incidence of sports-related concussions, including those in youth ages 5 to 21.

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