[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 161 (Thursday, September 17, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S5713]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 708--SUPPORTING THE DESIGNATION OF SEPTEMBER 18, 
             2020, AS ``NATIONAL CONCUSSION AWARENESS DAY''

  Ms. HASSAN (for herself, Mrs. Capito, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Casey, Ms. 
Collins, Mr. Van Hollen, and Mr. Wyden) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, 
Labor, and Pensions:

                              S. Res. 708

       Whereas mild traumatic brain injury, otherwise known as a 
     ``concussion'', is an important health concern for children, 
     teens, and adults;
       Whereas, according to information from the Centers for 
     Disease Control and Prevention--
       (1) there are as many as 1,600,000 to 3,800,000 sports-
     related concussions annually;
       (2) as many as 5,300,000 individuals live with a disability 
     because of a traumatic brain injury;
       (3) from 2001 to 2012, the rate of emergency department 
     visits for sports- and recreation-related injuries involving 
     a diagnosis of concussion or traumatic brain injury, alone or 
     in combination with other injuries, more than doubled among 
     children 19 years of age or younger, and, in 2012, an 
     estimated 329,290 children were treated in the United States 
     for sports- and recreation-related injuries that included a 
     diagnosis of concussion or traumatic brain injury; and
       (4) current data sources may only capture 1 out of every 9 
     concussions across the United States;

       Whereas the seriousness of concussions should not be 
     minimized in athletics, and return-to-play and return-to-
     learn protocols can help ensure recovery;
       Whereas concussions can affect physical, mental, and social 
     health, and a greater awareness and understanding of proper 
     diagnosis and management of concussions is critical to 
     improved outcomes; and
       Whereas the Senate can raise awareness about concussions 
     among the medical community and the public: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) supports the designation of September 18, 2020, as 
     ``National Concussion Awareness Day'';
       (2) recognizes that mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), 
     otherwise known as a ``concussion'', is an important health 
     concern;
       (3) commends the organizations and individuals that raise 
     awareness about mild traumatic brain injury;
       (4) encourages Federal, State, and local policymakers to 
     work together--
       (A) to raise awareness about the effects of concussions; 
     and
       (B) to improve the understanding of proper diagnosis and 
     management of concussions; and
       (5) encourages further research and prevention efforts to 
     ensure that fewer individuals experience the most adverse 
     effects of mild traumatic brain injury.

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