[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 149 (Thursday, September 14, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S4531]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 345--SUPPORTING THE DESIGNATION OF SEPTEMBER 15, 
             2023, AS ``NATIONAL CONCUSSION AWARENESS DAY''

  Ms. HASSAN (for herself, Mrs. Capito, and Mr. Casey) submitted the 
following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 345

       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 the long-
     term effects of a traumatic brain injury;
       (3) between 2010 and 2016, an estimated 2,000,000 children 
     under age 18 visited an emergency department because of a 
     traumatic brain injury sustained during sports- or 
     recreation-related activities;
       (4) each year an estimated 283,000 children seek care in 
     emergency departments in the United States for a sports- or 
     recreation-related traumatic brain injury, with traumatic 
     brain injuries sustained in contact sports accounting for 
     approximately 45 percent of those visits;
       (5) research suggests that many children with a traumatic 
     brain injury do not seek care in emergency departments or do 
     not seek care at all, resulting in a significant 
     underestimate of prevalence; and
       (6) approximately 15 percent of all high school students in 
     the United States self-reported 1 or more sports- or 
     recreation-related concussions within the preceding 12 
     months;
       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 15, 2023, as 
     ``National Concussion Awareness Day'';
       (2) recognizes that mild traumatic brain injury, 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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