Concussion education program for high school athletes is achieving success

By Minhong Kim. This article was initially published in our Concussion Update newsletter; please consider subscribing.


A web-based concussion education initiative sponsored by the Barrow Neurological Institute, Barrow Brainbook, has reached over one million high school athletes in Arizona since its establishment in 2011.

The initiative teaches students how to prevent concussions, recognize the signs and symptoms of concussions, and respond to concussions. All high school athletes competing in the Arizona Interscholastic Association are required to participate in the program; students first learn about concussions and then take a formal test to demonstrate their learning. 

Dr. Cárdenas, the creator of the Barrow Brainbook initiative, believes that “it is critically important that the education be delivered in an active format.” A Barrow Neurological Institute press release explains that Barrow Brainbook employs several strategies to engage high school students. First, professional athletes and peer athletes are incorporated into the concussion curriculum. In addition, the lessons are “designed to resemble a sportscasting show,” allowing students to interact with the modules. The lessons are now available in a Spanish-language version as well.