SUBJECT: H.R. 280, The Concussion Awareness and Education Act of 2019
Dear Representative Beatty,
On behalf of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and the Congress of Neurological
Surgeons (CNS), we would like to express our support for H.R. 280, the Concussion Awareness and Education
Act of 2019. There is an urgent need to increase awareness and knowledge regarding sports- and recreationrelated concussions and to collect much-needed data surrounding these injuries. Your legislation will go a long
way towards addressing these crucial efforts.
As you are aware, every year, there are approximately 1.6 to 3.8 million sports- and recreation-related traumatic
brain injuries, including concussions and other head injuries. These concussion injuries are often either underreported or not reported at all. Created by your bill, the establishment of a national system to accurately
determine, collect and report on the incidence of these injuries and the research to follow will help keep our youth
safe, whether on the playground or the playing field.
Your legislation will also provide more support for educational and awareness efforts, data collection, and
coordination and collaboration at a national level that will enhance public awareness and prevention of
concussions. We appreciate that you recognize that we must also change the current culture surrounding
concussions among our youth to bring about needed change.
We would also like to take this opportunity to make you aware of the ThinkFirst National Injury Prevention
Foundation. Founded by the AANS and the CNS, ThinkFirst’s mission is to prevent brain, spinal cord and other
traumatic injuries through education, research and advocacy. The ThinkFirst educational programs are aimed at
helping people — especially those at high risk: children, teens and young adults — learn to reduce their risk for
injury. For more information about the foundation’s programs visit www.thinkfirst.org.
Again, thank you for your leadership on this issue. We look forward to working with you on this and other
important health policy issues.
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