NFL HEALTH UPDATE - JAN. 7, 2015 NEW CONCUSSION LAWS RESULT IN BIG JUMP IN CONCUSSION TREATMENT New laws regulating concu sion treatment, bolstered by heightened public awarene s, have resulted in a large increase in the treatment of concu sion-related injuries for school-age athletes, according to a University of Michigan study. Since 2009, all 50 states and the District of Columbia have Pavel Zacha Jersey enacted concu sion laws regulating concu sion treatmentthe first laws written to addre s a specific injury. The study, designed to evaluate the impact of new concu sion laws, found a 92 percent increase in children whose families sought medical a sistance for concu sions in states with the legislation in place. Other statistics include: After the first concu sion law pa sed in 2009, treatment rates in states without concu sion laws increased roughly 20 percent annually. In states with concu sion laws, the annual rates of treated concu sion averaged an additional 13 percent higher. Rates of treated concu sion in states without legislation were 7 percent higher in 2009-10, 20 percent higher in 2010-11 and 34 percent higher in 2011-12 compared with pre-legislation trends. By 2012, in states without legislation, office visits for concu sion rose 78 percent compared to pre-legislation trends. The rate was 17 percent higher in states with concu sion laws. VIKINGS PLAYERS, ALUMNI HELP WITH "HEARING MISSION" "The sight of someone experiencing sound in a way they've never done is an incredible thing to behold," said receiver when players and alumni visited an annual "Hearing Mi sion" hosted by Starkey Hearing Foundation, where children received custom-fit devices. Jennings recently led a group that included , , , and , alumni players Matt Blair, Joey Browner, Dave Osborne and Stu Voigt, as well as Viktor the Viking to the headquarters of Starkey Hearing Technologies and its charitable foundation about a mile from the home at Winter Park. Starkey Hearing Technologies has helped several members of Blair's family with hearing difficulties PATRIOTS HONOR VOLUNTEERS DURING HALFTIME CEREMONY The Kraft family and the Charitable Foundation celebrated their ongoing Celebrate Volunteerism initiative in a halftime ceremony at the ' regular season finale versus the on Dec. 28, at Gillette Stadium. Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft announced grants of $5,000 to 14 nonprofits in the name of each of the " Difference Makers of the Week" selected throughout the season. Kraft was joined by president of the Charitable Foundation Josh Kraft and and r and executive director of community affairs Andre Tippett for a surprise check presentation during halftime. The Kraft family and Charitable Foundation will continue to Celebrate Volunteerism during the post-season, off-season and seasons to come. COLTS DELIVER GIFTS AND HOLIDAY CHEER TO PATIENTS AT RILEY HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN players and Cheerleaders recently visited Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health to spread some holiday cheer. , , , , and spent time caroling with patients and their families. Caroling has become an annual tradition for the , started by owner and CEO Jim Irsay. It is part of a long-standing partnership the have had with Riley at IU Health for more than a decade. Over the years, the organization and its players have supported the hospital through various programs, events and financial contributions, including a $1 million donation from Irsay in 2008. The team has embraced the annual "Miracle Ride" event and has made countle s visits to patients at the hospital in addition to hosting special training camp visits for Riley families. The organization also created the Riley Coin To s Kids program to give Riley patients the opportunity to participate in the coin to s at each home game. BILLS PLAYERS HOST PLAY 60 CHALLENGE FITNESS PARTY The , Independent Health Foundation, and the Ame
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