U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-08) the founder and co-Chairman of the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force applauded the United States Army for issuing a new requirement for all soldiers who experience dizziness or loss  of consciousness from a blast, fall, collision or other direct impact incident to receive immediate medical attention:

“I applaud the United States Army for moving forward to more thoroughly diagnose brain injuries.  Timely, precise diagnosis is best way to reduce the number of American soldiers who are killed or left with chronic symptoms from multiple brain injury experiences. 

“Had this directive been issued years ago when the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force began to call for more aggressive screening, thousands would have benefitted and many lives would have been saved.  I remain concerned that our military units are not required to use the type of basic baseline screening technology that is common even on high school football sidelines.  Comparative cognitive assessments should be used to monitor soldiers from the moment they begin training to the day they return home.   

“Looking forward I am pleased the Army is making a more serious commitment to brain injury prevention.  I urge the other military branches to follow and pursue even more aggressive protections for America’s brave military men and women.”

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