Overview of program
The Morrison Government will be increasing funding to improve research and prevention of brain injuries and concussions for Australians playing sport. The Australian Institute of Sport will use an additional $340,000 in funding for the concussions and brain health project and a comprehensive study that will draw on the expertise of medical professionals and researchers. It will include an evaluation of the brain health of retired elite level athletes, in collaboration with the University of Newcastle and the University of Canberra. Not only this, the Position Statement by the Concussion in Sport Australia will be updated in collaboration with the Australian Medical Association, Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians, and Sports Medicine Australia. The Traumatic Brain Injury Missions is funded through the Medical Research Future Fund and the government recently opened a new $4 million grant round for research projects into new approaches for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of sports-related concussion. Overall, the Mission is providing $50 million over 10 years for research aimed at improving the lives of people living with brain injuries.
Critique
In order for this program to successfully make an impact on society and the number of concussions young athletes experience it needs to address the four domains of the Socioecological Model. The program targets the policy domain extremely well. The program includes many different levels of funding such as $340,00 going towards a study that will provide research and an extra 4 million dollars to gather research projects into new and modern approaches to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of sports related concussion. Overall, the program will be funding $50 million dollars in order to improve the lives of people living with brain injuries. Although the program has an extensive list of funding, the program does not consist of enforcing any rules or regulations when it comes to how to treat and handle sports-related concussions which does not ensure that individuals will follow guidelines. The program should consider raising a list of guidelines for individuals to follow when they have been encountered with a young athlete sustaining a head injury making sure that everyone is taking every precaution to ensure safety of young people.
One of the primary reasons of this program is to gather information and research on the mechanics of concussions and traumatic brain injuries in order to further educate coaches, parents, and young athletes on how to understand and medicate a concussion. Because of this, the program (further along research) will successfully provide accurate and precise information on concussions allowing schools and coaches to correctly teach and educate younger people on what head injuries are and not only prevent them but prevent any long-term brain damage.
In regards of the social environment, the program clearly shows that they prioritise and care for communities and families that have experienced an encounter with a concussion or TMI. This is seen because the program is funding $50 million dollars to families who are living with brain damage caused from a previous brain injury sustained during sports. By doing this, they are providing financial and emotional support for families who are in need bringing communities together and creating connections among schools, sporting clubs and community groups. Because of this, the importance individuals have for concussions in sport will deepen overall raising awareness for the ongoing issue. However, the program Is not advertised on social media enough for the community to understand and know what is happening. The program should consider further advertisement in order to raise more awareness on concussions in sport and bring attention to the action that is taking place to help prevent the issue.