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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
REQUESTING THAT THE CCDPH IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CCHHS DEVELOP CTE DAMAGE AWARENESS PROGRAMS AND HELP FACILITATE REFERRALS TO CONCUSSION CLINICS FOR ATHLETES; THAT THE STATE OF IL REGULATE NIL DEALS; AND THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FUND RESEARCH ON HOW THE PORTAL AND NIL DEALS MAY AFFECT CTE INJURIES AND THE MENTAL HEALTH OF YOUNG ATHLETES
WHEREAS, the Mayo Clinic explains Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), as a brain disease likely caused by repeated head injuries, often occurring in contact sports or military combat. It causes the death of nerve cells in the brain, known as degeneration. The only way to definitively diagnose CTE is after death during an autopsy of the brain; and
WHEREAS, in people who were confirmed to have CTE at autopsy, symptoms have included cognitive impairment including trouble thinking, memory loss, and loss of executive planning; behavioral changes including impulse behavior, and aggression; mood changes including depression, emotional instability, substance misuse and suicidal thoughts and behavior; and movement changes including trouble walking, parkinsonism and gradual loss of control; and
WHEREAS, experts believe symptoms can appear early in life between the late 20s and early 30s, the first form of CTE may cause mental health and behavioral issues; and
WHEREAS, according to an article published by the Harvard Medical School, a study found that children ages 6 to 14 who played tackle football had 15 times more head impacts, and 23 times more hard head impacts, than those who play flag football. Researchers say CTE may be far more widespread in young people who play a lot of contact sports than previously believed. A study of brains from contact sport players who died before they reached age 30 showed that more than 40 percent had CTE; and
WHEREAS, the same Harvard Medical School article reports that CTE caused by repetitive mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) continues to progress decades after th...
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