In May/June of 2016, the Center for Public Opinion conducted a survey of 1000 American adults on their awareness and attitudes towards sports and concussions.

As research in the last decade has unveiled a greater link between a variety of activities and post-concussion syndrome, most notably Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy or CTE, Center researchers sought to understand the public’s view of sports and head injuries, with a specific focus on how this affects attitudes about youth sports.

Complete Highlights (pdf)

Topline (pdf)

Methodology (pdf)

Press Release

There are three main findings which are detailed in the supporting documents: 

  • There is widespread awareness that concussions and post-concussion syndrome are caused by sports and represent a significant public health issue 
  • Majorities of Americans would favor changes to youth sports; large majorities do not believe that tackle football or heading the ball in soccer are appropriate until they reach high school. This is true among both men and women. 
  • Professional, college and national sports organizations, by and large, are viewed by the public as having done too little to address the concussion issue in sports.