Arizona a leader in student concussions, and concussion education

by David Safier

I didn't know this. According to Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Arizona "ranks second in the nation for traumatic brain injury" among students. Though the article isn't clear, I think this refers specifically to college athletes, not K-12 athletes who, I know from my teaching experience, get plenty of concussions.

And now, Arizona is apparently in front of the effort to have better concussion education and prevention.

Today, Arizona becomes the first in the United States to mandate all male and female athletes undergo concussion education and pass a formal test before play through a new program specifically geared toward students. The program is expected to become a model for other states to follow.

Arizona is one of 28 states to have laws that require concussion education and mandate when athletes have to be removed from play and when they can return.

It's kind of nice to know that, in at least one area, we're ahead of the curve, in a good way.