A new study from the University of Toronto has found that the incidence of concussions in Ontario, Canada is double what was previously reported.

In total, 1,330,336 people were diagnosed with a concussion between 2008 and 2016. The annual average was 147,815, and 79% were diagnosed in the emergency department. This works out to be an average annual concussion incidence of 1,153 concussions, per 100,000 residents. Applied to the rest of the country, this is half a million concussion injuries in Canada alone.

Also, it should be considered that this data is isolated to only physicians offices and emergency departments. As many people don’t visit a healthcare provider at all for concussion, and many choose to visit other healthcare providers, it’s likely that this data actually underestimates the total concussion incidence.

Numbers such as these underline why it’s important that all healthcare professionals have up to date knowledge and training for how to properly assess, diagnose, and manage concussed patients.

Watch the video below to learn more!

Full study:
Laura Langer et al. Increasing Incidence of Concussion: True Epidemic or Better Recognition? Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation: June 25, 2019.