CDC Report: 69 Percent Of Student Athletes With Concussion Symptoms Don't Report It
GARFIELD, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released a new report on student athletes and concussions.
Standing in front of the football field at Garfield High School, officials from the CDC and Rep. Bill Pascrell discussed the new report on Tuesday.
"The report highlights that far too many athletes do not report their concussion symptoms and may not be removed from play, or may return to play too soon," said Dr. Grant Baldwin, with the CDC.
Out of the nearly 800 student athletes who were interviewed, 69 percent of athletes with a possible concussion said they played with concussion symptoms.
Of that 69 percent, 40 percent of student athletes said their coaches did not know they had a possible concussion, according to the report.
Pascrell said the community needs to take concussions seriously.
"There's no such a thing as a simple concussion. That's like saying 'oh we only had a simple heart attack,'" the lawmaker said.
The report also suggested ways to keep athletes safe, including encouraging symptom reporting and improving ways coaches talk about concussions and symptoms.