Sports/Recreation Traumatic Brain Injuries

Did You Know?

• A Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the normal function of the brain. 
• The majority of TBIs that occur each year are concussions or other forms of mild TBI. 
• Children and teens are more likely to get a concussion and take longer to recover than adults.
• Recognition of and proper response to TBIs when they first occur can help prevent further injury or even death.
• Effective response and treatment for TBI sufferers can save money. Adherence to treatment guidelines for severely injured TBI patients costs about $2,500 per person but will save over $11,000 in direct medical costs.*

TBIs Among Ohio Youth

• On average, more than 4,000 youths were treated in emergency departments (EDs) for sports/recreation (S/R) traumatic brain injuries each year, with a significant rise over the course of the study period: from 2,970 in 2002 to 5,167 in 2010, an increase of 74 percent.
• Emergency department visits for sports-related TBIs among Ohio youth increased by 110 percent from 2002 to2010.
• From 2002 to 2009, pedal cycle (i.e. bicycle) TBIs were associated with the greatest number of sports/recreation hospitalizations among Ohio youth.

Ohio's Return to Play Law

On April 19, 2013, Ohio’s Return to Play Law came into effect. In accordance with Ohio’s new youth sports concussion law and through provisions established in O.R.C. 3707.521 (effective September 17, 2014), the Director of Health is required to establish a committee regarding concussions and head injuries sustained by athletes participating in interscholastic youth sports activities. The Ohio Youth Sports Concussion and Head Injury Guideline Committee was established and tasked with developing guidelines related to youth sports concussions. 

 

CDC Heads-Up App

http://www.cdc.gov/headsup/resources/app.html

 

ODH Contact Information

Ohio Department of Health
Injury Prevention Program
246 North High Street, 8th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215

Telephone: 614-466-2144
Fax: 614-564-2409

Email: HealthyOhio@odh.ohio.gov