This week is concussion awareness week and the provincial government is highlighting some of the work they’re doing on developing educational resources on concussions.
Andrew Boitchenko, the Minister of Tourism and Sport, says they’ve invested over $75,000 over the past three years on promoting concussion awareness across the province.
“We’re getting together with the Sports Medicine Council of Alberta to raise awareness in all sports and activities in the province because concussions are something that can happen to everyone. Either you’re playing professional sports, or you’re playing with your kids on your lawn, or just being active, you have a risk of concussions.”
According to the Injury Prevention Centre, 41 Albertans sustain a concussion every day, with the highest rates among young Albertans aged 10 to 24.
Boitchenko says they are working on enhancing outreach and support for communities, athletes and sport leaders.
“We’re working with the sports medicine and they’re working with sports trainers and facilities to actually implement step-be-step how to treat it and how to recognize it.”
In Alberta, a study by the Injury Prevention Centre found that falls are the leading cause, responsible for 35.8 per cent of concussions, followed by sports-related injuries at 22 per cent and motor vehicle accidents at nine per cent.
You can listen to the full interview below.
– Kyle Moore, Trending 55 Newsroom
