Members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee will gather Jan. 25 in room 2123 of the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill to conduct a comprehensive review on concussions.
The roundtable discussion will begin at 2 p.m. and will be led by Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Tim Murphy (R-PA). Attendees will include medical, military, athletic and research experts; the event will cover topics such as the causes, effects and treatment of concussions and other head trauma.
Concussions are the most common type of traumatic brain injury and can range from mild to severe. Concussions are often sustained during sports or as the result of falls or automobile accidents. They can cause a wide range of physical, cognitive and emotional symptoms.
"Concussions are a major cause of medical complications, disability and death among all age groups," Murphy said. "The more we learn about concussions and head trauma, the more we know that the 'shake it off' approach of yesteryear caused more risk and damage. We clearly must improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment of traumatic brain injury and bringing together experts from across the country will have meaningful impact for every American family. With this roundtable forum, we will build a strong foundation of knowledge to help guide future action."
Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade Subcommittee Chairman Dr. Michael Burgess (R-TX) stressed the importance of understanding as much as possible about medical conditions.
"While we know the situations that leave people more prone to head trauma, we are less sure about how to best diagnose and treat them," he said. "This review will help us take a step forward in bridging the knowledge gap and providing better care for all patients."
