AANS commemorates National Neurosurgery Awareness Week in Miami

The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) is commemorating National Neurosurgery Awareness Week (NNAW) April 15-21, 2012, in conjunction with its 80th Annual Scientific Meeting in Miami, held April 14-18, 2012. National Neurosurgery Awareness Week efforts are focused on the prevalence and prevention of concussions, urging athletes, coaches and the public to make concussion awareness part of their playbooks.

A concussion is an injury to the brain that results in temporary loss of normal brain function. This clinical syndrome is characterized by immediate and transient alteration of mental status and level of consciousness, resulting from mechanical force or trauma, typically by a blow to the head.

"We feel a responsibility to educate the community about the effects of concussion, especially since its risks can come with everyday activities like sports, bike riding or working around the home," says Thomas A. Marshall, Executive Director of the AANS.

While more than 300,000 sports-related concussions occur annually in the United States, concussions also are commonly caused by automobile and biking accidents as well as by falls around the home, especially among toddlers and older adults. To help promote awareness about concussion and other related head-related injuries, AANS has teamed with other partners to develop a series of slides neurosurgeons can use as part of an educational presentation. These presentations can help explain to coaches, parents, park districts and others about the possible signs of concussion, what to do when a concussion occurs, and what types of action needs to be taken before an athlete may safely return to the field of play.

On April 16, 2012, AANS will partner with ThinkFirst (a foundation committed to preventing traumatic brain and spinal injuries) and WalkSafe™ (a program focused on improving pediatric pedestrian safety, encouraging physical activity and advocating walkability around elementary schools) for Kids Safety Day, a special head-injury prevention and helmet fitting event at the Feinberg Fisher School in Miami. It is expected that nearly 100 students ranging from pre-school to eighth grade will receive bicycle helmets at this invitation-only event.

Source: American Association of Neurological Surgeons