About 300,000 Americans will have a sports-related concussion this year. Since a concussion is a brain injury, the effects, both short-term and long-term, can be quite harmful to the natural development of the student in many ways.

This issue has garnered significant publicity recently throughout the country. And, thanks to that publicity, people are starting to pay closer attention.

In Pennsylvania, House Bill 2728 introduced by Reps. Tim Briggs and Thomas Caltagirone is one such example of growing concern over concussions.

HB 2728 aims to educate students and parents about the risks of concussions. It also sets guidelines for removal from play and then return to play only after authorized by a health-care practitioner properly licensed or credentialed to manage and evaluate concussions. Furthermore, coaches would be required to complete special training, and penalties would be imposed on coaches who do not follow the guidelines.

We know that student athletes would rather be in the game than on the sideline. But an injured brain needs time to heal. HB 2728 is a good step to better protect the health of our school-aged athletes, and it's a step that the Pennsylvania Medical Society and our physician members support.

James A. Goodyear, M.D.

Harrisburg

The writer is president of the Pennsylvania Medical Society.

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