Self-Reported Concussions from Playing a Sport or Being Physically Active Among High School Students — United States, 2017

Abstract

© 2018, Department of Health and Human Services. All Rights reserved. What is already known about this topic? A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury. Surveillance efforts likely miss some concussions related to sports and physical activity among youths. What is added by this report? The 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that 15.1% of students reported having at least one concussion related to sports or physical activity, and 6.0% reported having two or more. Playing on more than one sports team was found to further increase the risk for concussion. What are the implications for public health practice? It is important to expand education about the risk for concussion, the signs and symptoms of concussion, the need to remove athletes with a suspected concussion from play, the evaluation of concussions, and the protocol for athletes’ safe return to school and play.