Concussions: More Than a Health and Safety Issue

by Gavin Leonard

Young athletes often suffer concussions, but African Americans take longer to recover. Studies show it’s more than a health issue.

Data from the National Library of Medicine said African Americans are more likely to deal with long-lasting effects of head injuries because of the lack of access to medical care in marginalized communities. Young Black athletes represent a significant portion of underprivileged players in urban communities and aren’t as educated on sport-related concussions (SRC) compared to their white counterparts. 

SRC, as defined by researchers, is a type of traumatic brain injury. Dr. Ovetta Harris, a nationally certified speech-language pathologist at Howard University, said short-term effects of an SRC can include: problems expressing and recalling words or sentences or an inability to perform daily tasks and interpret visual problems. These symptoms can not only affect players physically but mentally and emotionally as well.

“I may feel displaced, or feel anxious, or feel like I just [want to] move away from you or not talk,” she said. “It’s embarrassing… Sometimes they’re not even told that they’ve suffered a concussion, days later they’re acting different… they can’t focus, they can’t sit down and read the book, they can’t do their studies.”

Research on the subject is emerging as the NFL conducts studies on head injuries. Even in the wake of years-long debate on head safety, few studies go in-depth on the connection between SRC and race. Studies that do exist mostly focus on young athletes. 

A 2018 study found that African American teen athletes received less concussion knowledge and were less likely to notice concussion symptoms. The study found that student-athletes with access to licensed athletic trainers had better concussion knowledge than athletes without access to trainers. The job of an athletic trainer is to implement rehabilitation programs for injured athletes.

Coach Corey Johnson, who has coached football in Baltimore City for 27 years, believes that there isn’t enough effort being put into solving this issue.

“I think the student-athletes should be required to take the same concussion courses we have to take through [the National Federation of State High School Association],” he said. Courses include how to identify a concussion and how to treat one. “They need a better understanding of concussions and their after-effects.”

Johnson said there is an EMT present at all games, and beginning this season, they will have a full-time athletic trainer on staff. 

Harris said both coaches and players have equal responsibility to protect everyone’s well-being. 

“These athletes are trying to win the game, and they will ask to go back out on the field… They shouldn’t put them back out on the field, but they do,” said Dr. Harris.

Sam Winner, a varsity football player at Malvern Preparatory School in Pennsylvania, said he often witnesses his teammates suffer concussions during a game and return to the field. 

“We have done a better job over the last … decade focusing on this,” said Dr Harris. 

Many, like Winner, hope that as more research continues to be conducted, funding is provided, and education on concussions is given, the health disparity will become old news.

Gavin Leonard is a reporter for VoicesofTomorrow.news through the Howard University Multicultural Media Academy.