Hasbro Children's Hospital Completes Study on Concussion Compliance

Hasbro Children's Hospital Completes Study on Concussion Compliance

The Injury Prevention Center at Hasbro Children's Hospital did a study that found that compliance with mandated provisions in youth sports concussion laws was high, compliance with recommended concussion laws was limited. The study was led by Dina Morrissey, MD., M.P.H., a research associate for the Injury Prevention Center. 

“An estimated 7.7 million children and adolescents participate in organized sports each year and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that they sustain between 1.6 and 3.8 million sports-related concussions annually,” said Morrissey.

In 2010 the state of Rhode Island passed the School and Youth Programs Concussion Act (SYPCA) outlining both mandatory and recommended provisions regarding managing student athletes with concussions. 

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In 2013, a statewide assessment of RI concussion law compliance among RIIL member high schools, non-member high schools and selected community league sports organizations. The study found almost universal compliance with the mandated elements of SYPCA. 

“These compliance statistics show us that in order to best protect youth athletes in Rhode Island, all recommendations outlined in the SYPCA law should be made mandatory,” said Michael Mello, M.D., M.P.H., director of the Injury Prevention Center.