NFL Retired Players Association Announces Partnership With The Centers For Disease Control (CDC)
Carl Eller, President and Founder of the NFL Retired Players Association, is pleased to announce our partnership with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to raise awareness on the dangers of concussions and other types of traumatic brain injuries.
Online, February 9, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Carl Eller, President and Founder of the NFL Retired Players Association, is pleased to announce the partnership with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to raise awareness on the dangers of concussions and other types of traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Minnesota is taking the lead in concussion prevention and the national Kick-Off Event will be held today in Cambridge, MN . This event will be covered locally by KARE-11.
Traumatic Brain Injury
TBI is a serious public health problem in the United States. Each year, traumatic brain injuries contribute to a substantial number of deaths and cases of permanent disability. Recent data shows that, on average, approximately 1.7 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury annually.
Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports
To help ensure the health and safety of young athletes, the CDC has developed the Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports initiative to offer information about concussions to coaches, parents, and athletes involved in youth sports. The Heads Up initiative provides important information on preventing, recognizing, and responding to a concussion.
What is a Concussion?
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury, or TBI, caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that can change the way your brain normally works. Concussions can also occur from a fall or a blow to the body that causes the head and brain to move quickly back and forth.
Health care professionals may describe a concussion as a "mild" brain injury because concussions are usually not life-threatening. Even so, their effects can be serious.
The NFL RPA will also be working in partnership with the CDC on other initiatives to raise awareness for other infectious diseases and issues which affect the retiree population.
The NFL Retired Players Association is dedicated to providing powerful national advocacy and collegial support for retired professional football players, their families and the community at large. The NFL RPA's specific area of focus is player health and wellness. The NFL RPA provides financial assistance for members suffering from football related illnesses. Additionally, the NFL RPA lobbies nationally for more comprehensive medical benefits for retired athletes.