WASHINGTON, DC - Following years of uncertainty surrounding the causes, effects, and treatments for concussions, Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) today announced that the committee will commence a broad review of these injuries and their implications in the New Year. The review will be conducted by the Oversight and Investigations, Health, and Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittees. Members and staff will work with medical experts - including professionals from the National Institutes of Health, U.S. military, professional and collegiate sports, the scientific and medical research community, and other stakeholders - to increase collaboration and advance the understanding of concussions.
“We often hear about concussions in the context of service members and athletes, but this problem goes well beyond the battlefield and the gridiron. It’s a matter of public health as these injuries are prevalent in all ages and across the population. Unfortunately, there’s a lot we don’t know about head trauma - how it effects different subsets of the population, the short and long term effects, and other details critical to developing effective diagnostics and treatments," said Upton.
Upton continued, “Thanks to increased public awareness in recent years, there are promising efforts underway to increase our understanding of these injuries but we still have a long way to go. Our goal is to bring together experts from across the medical spectrum to increase collaboration, have a thoughtful dialogue, and move the conversation forward. We have an opportunity to improve our understanding and better care for our kids and families." See Also
* Broad Review of Concussions: Initial Roundtable
* Committee Activity for Week of January 25 Postponed
* E&C Concussion Review to Commence with Expert Roundtable on January 25
* E&C Set to Conduct Broad Review of Concussions
* Upton, Murphy Announce Date for Concussion Roundtable
