This book provides a broad introduction to the important topic of concussive brain injury that considers historical, medical, research-based, and legal and ethical perspectives.
The devastating long-term effects of concussions and the apparent mismanagement of concussion treatment among college and professional athletes have received major media attention in recent years. Do athletes—especially young ones—and their parents understand the physical risks and potential lifelong costs involved with playing their sport? Are injuries handled properly, or are players’ careers and teams’ successes put ahead of health and safety?
Written by a Harvard-educated doctor who conducts clinical and scientific research in the area of sports injuries and concussive brain injuries, this book provides readers with honest and authoritative information about concussions. The book’s chapters address the subject from all angles and shed light on current debates related to concussions caused by sports injuries and accidents.
- Examines the topic of concussions from historical and legal/ethical perspectives as well as medical perspectives and provides insights into current issues and controversies
- Includes excerpts from primary source documents that provide additional information and bolster students' critical thinking skills
- Provides a full complement of research tools for students: a timeline, glossary, index, and sources for additional information
William Paul Meehan III, MD, is director of the Micheli Center for Sports Injury Prevention, director of the Sports Concussion Clinic, and director of research for the Brain Injury Center at Children's Hospital Boston. He graduated from Harvard Medical School, where he is currently assistant professor of pediatrics. He is also associate director of the Football Players Health Study at Harvard, which explores the medical issues that affect professional football players. Meehan is board-certified in pediatrics, pediatric emergency medicine, and sports medicine. He conducts both clinical and scientific research in the area of sports injuries and concussive brain injury. His research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, the National Football League, the National Hockey League Alumni Association, and the Center for the Integration of Medicine and Innovative Technology. He is the 2012 winner of the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine's award for Best Overall Research, and he has multiple medical and scientific publications and served as guest editor for the January 2011 issue of Clinics in Sports Medicine regarding concussion in sports. He is author of Praeger's Kids, Sports, and Concussion: A Guide for Coaches and Parents.
Reviews"Dense but necessary reading for coaches, parents, and older players of any contact sport."—Library Journal, April 1, 2017
"The writing style is accessible and encourages readers to pursue the topic in further depth. . . . Recommended for public, school, and academic libraries."—ARBA, June 1, 2018
Health and Medical Issues Today
From the latest developments in treatment to updates on public health threats, information about health and medicine impacts lives more directly than almost any other subject. Despite a wealth of coverage online and in print media, there is still an overwhelming need for a single source to which a reader can turn for accurate, current information on an issue of concern.
The series Health and Medical Issues Today provides just such one-stop resources for those seeking solid overviews of the most controversial and persisting issues in health and psychology. Each volume offers a balanced, in-depth introduction to the medical, scientific, legal, and cultural aspects of subjects ranging from obesity to sports medicine, mental illness, HIV/AIDS, and tobacco use.