Concussion Rates Double Among U.S. Adolescents

According to recent research from the University of California, San Francisco, concussion rates among U.S. adolescents have risen significantly in recent years.

The study analyzed health insurance claims for nearly nine million Americans from 2007 to 2014 and found that concussion diagnoses more than doubled.

Concussion injuries increased 160 percent across all age groups. Teens ages 10 to 19 made up one third of all concussion injuries and saw the greatest spike in diagnoses. There was a 243 percent increase among 10 to 14-year-olds, while older teens, ages 15 to 19, saw a 187 percent increase.

Older teens sustained concussion injuries at a rate of 16.5 for every 1,000 patients, compared to 10.5 among 10 to 14-year-olds.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 248,000 U.S. children and teens end up in the hospital every year with concussion injuries caused by sports or recreational activities. That figure, however, only takes into account those who were taken to the hospital. Many experts believe the actual number could be significantly higher.

Previous studies have also noted increases in concussion rates. Those studies, however, specifically focused on groups like young athletes. This study, instead, chose to focus on the broader population.

Although it is difficult to determine the cause of these concussions, the researchers believe they are most likely attributed to sports or recreational activities.

Researchers have also questioned if the rise is truly representative of an increase in concussions, or simply an increase in awareness and diagnoses. In the last five years, all 50 states and Washington, D.C. have implemented laws targeting concussions in teens and children.

Brain injuries, like concussions, can pose serious risks for young adults. If you believe another person’s negligence or carelessness caused your child’s injuries, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact our personal injury lawyers today to learn more about your legal options.

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