Exploring Risks of Repeated Head Impacts in Youth and Strategies to Minimize Exposure: Proceedings of a Workshop (2026)
Chapter: Appendix B: Workshop Agenda
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Appendix A: Statement of Task
B
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Appendix C: Planning Committee and Speaker Biographies
Suggested Citation:
"Appendix B: Workshop Agenda." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2026. Exploring Risks of Repeated Head Impacts in Youth and Strategies to Minimize Exposure: Proceedings of a Workshop. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
doi: 10.17226/29227.
B
Workshop Agenda
April 15, 2025
SESSION 1: INTRODUCTION
Objectives
- Introduce the goals and scope of the workshop, which will discuss available evidence on the risks of repeated head impacts (RHI) among youth (ages 17 and under) and strategies to minimize exposure or negative health outcomes.
- Provide context on how RHI can be defined and measured to inform subsequent discussions.
| 10:00am | Welcome and Introductory Remarks Frederick Rivara, Planning Committee Chair |
| 10:10am | Introduction to the Potential Implications of RHI in Youth Keith Yeates, University of Calgary, Alberta |
| 10:25am | How RHI Can be Defined and Measured Kristy Arbogast, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia |
| 10:40am | Initial Q&A |
Suggested Citation:
"Appendix B: Workshop Agenda." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2026. Exploring Risks of Repeated Head Impacts in Youth and Strategies to Minimize Exposure: Proceedings of a Workshop. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
doi: 10.17226/29227.
SESSION 2: WHO EXPERIENCES REPEATED HEAD IMPACTS
Objectives
- Discuss the epidemiology of RHI in those age 17 and under, including what is known about the demographic characteristics of those at increased risk of exposure to RHI.
- Discuss which activities increase RHI exposure risk, and how participation in those activities intersects with both potential harms and potential benefits.
- Consider the strengths and limitations of current evidence and where additional evidence may be needed to support a fuller understanding of RHI exposure in youth.
| 10:50am | Session Introduction Avinash Chandran, Datalys Center/NCAA |
| Presentation Johna Register-Mihalik, University of North Carolina Jingzhen (Ginger) Yang, Nationwide Children’s Hospital William Meehan, Harvard Medical School/Boston’s Children’s Hospital Discussion |
|
| 12:10pm | Lunch Break |
SESSION 3: HOW DOES RHI EXPOSURE AFFECT OUTCOMES IN THE SHORTER TERM
Objectives
- Discuss links between exposure to RHI in youth and health outcomes. For the purposes of this session, “short term” generally reflects outcomes that manifest in the immediate period after exposure to months after exposure.
- Examine evidence from a range of sources, including brain pathology, biomarker levels, and clinical assessments.
- Describe where links have and have not been drawn between RHI exposure and health outcomes, and identify strengths and limitations of the current evidence base.
| 12:40pm | Session Introduction Jeffrey Bazarian, University of Rochester Medical Center |
Suggested Citation:
"Appendix B: Workshop Agenda." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2026. Exploring Risks of Repeated Head Impacts in Youth and Strategies to Minimize Exposure: Proceedings of a Workshop. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
doi: 10.17226/29227.
| Presentation Keisuke Kawata, Indiana University Sean Rose, Nationwide Children’s Hospital Discussion |
|
| 1:25pm | Break |
SESSION 4: HOW DOES RHI EXPOSURE
AFFECT OUTCOMES IN THE LONGER TERM
Objectives
- Discuss links between exposure to RHI in youth and health outcomes. For the purposes of this session, “long term” generally reflects outcomes that manifest multiple years after exposure.
- Examine evidence from a range of sources, including brain pathology, biomarker levels, and clinical assessments.
- Describe where links have and have not been drawn between RHI exposure and health outcomes, and identify strengths and limitations of the current evidence base.
| 1:45pm | Session Introduction Michael Alosco, Boston University |
| Presentation Jesse Mez, Boston University Michael McCrea, Medical College of Wisconsin Discussion |
|
| 2:50pm | Break |
SESSION 5: WHAT FACTORS INFLUENCE
AND MODIFY OUTCOMES AFTER RHI
Objectives
- Discuss biological and sociodemographic factors that may modify the effects of exposure to RHI and resulting health outcomes.
- Consider factors that reduce and mitigate youth RHI exposure.
- Consider the implications for study designs that could address knowledge gaps.
Suggested Citation:
"Appendix B: Workshop Agenda." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2026. Exploring Risks of Repeated Head Impacts in Youth and Strategies to Minimize Exposure: Proceedings of a Workshop. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
doi: 10.17226/29227.
| 3:05pm | Session Introduction Christopher Giza, University of California, Los Angeles |
| Presentation Benjamin Brett, Medical College of Wisconsin Tamerah Hunt, Georgia Southern University |
|
| Discussion |
SESSION 6: PERSPECTIVES FROM THOSE WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE
Objectives
- Share perspectives from individuals and families who have experienced youth RHI, and youth education and sports organizations that make decisions around youth RHI.
- Discuss questions that arise when navigating care and return to learning or to play in the context of RHI.
- Share views on how different stakeholders think about the relative risk and benefits of recreational activities that expose youth to RHI.
| 4:00pm | Session Introduction Tamerah Hunt, Georgia Southern University |
| Family Experiences | |
| Panel Discussion Christina (Tina) Master, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Karlita Warren, The Kizo Effect, LLC Laura Keyes, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia |
|
| 4:55pm | Closing Remarks by Workshop Chair |
CONCLUSION OF DAY 1
Suggested Citation:
"Appendix B: Workshop Agenda." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2026. Exploring Risks of Repeated Head Impacts in Youth and Strategies to Minimize Exposure: Proceedings of a Workshop. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
doi: 10.17226/29227.
April 16, 2025
INTRODUCTION
| 1:00pm | Welcome and Introductory Remarks Frederick Rivara, University of Washington |
SESSION 7: INTERVENTIONS TO MANIMIZE EXPOSURE TO REPEATED HEAD IMPACTS
Objectives
- Discuss available evidence on effective interventions to minimize exposure to RHI in youth, including changes to rules and techniques of play, protective equipment improvements, or other types of interventions.
- Consider successful examples where evidence-based interventions to minimize exposures were integrated into youth sports and recreational activities.
| 1:10pm | Session Introduction and Presentation Gerard Gioia, Children’s National Hospital |
| Panel Discussion Jaclyn Caccese, The Ohio State University Carolyn Emery, University of Calgary George Chiampas, Northwestern University/U.S. Soccer Erik Swartz, Adelphi University |
SESSION 8: DECISION MAKING ON RETURN-TO-ACTIVITY AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR POLICY CHANGE
Objectives
- Explore best practices for informed, collaborative decision making regarding participation in activities that may involve RHI exposure
- Discuss policy and systemic changes that could better support safer participation in youth activities with RHI risks.
| 2:10pm | Session Introduction Christina Master, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia |
Suggested Citation:
"Appendix B: Workshop Agenda." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2026. Exploring Risks of Repeated Head Impacts in Youth and Strategies to Minimize Exposure: Proceedings of a Workshop. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
doi: 10.17226/29227.
| Presentation Jillian Urban, Wake Forest University School of Medicine Emily Kroshus, University of Washington Discussion |
|
| 3:05pm | Break |
SESSION 9: REFLECTIONS ON RESEARCH GAPS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Objectives
- Discuss key knowledge and science gaps. What do you wish you knew today?
- Reflect on promising approaches and tools to close these gaps in the next 5 years.
- Consider the road ahead for improved monitoring of exposure to RHI and for more effective mitigation of potential short- and long-term effects. Where could we be in the next 10 years?
| 3:25pm | Session Introduction Luca Marinelli, GE HealthCare Technology & Innovation Center |
| Presentation Jeffrey Bazarian, University of Rochester Medical Center Lee Gabler, Biocore LLC Benjamin Brett, Medical College of Wisconsin Rebekah Mannix, Boston Children’s Hospital Discussion |
CONCLUSION
| 4:50pm | Closing Remarks by Workshop Chair Frederick Rivara, University of Washington |
| 5:00pm | Workshop Adjourns |
Suggested Citation:
"Appendix B: Workshop Agenda." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2026. Exploring Risks of Repeated Head Impacts in Youth and Strategies to Minimize Exposure: Proceedings of a Workshop. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
doi: 10.17226/29227.
Suggested Citation:
"Appendix B: Workshop Agenda." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2026. Exploring Risks of Repeated Head Impacts in Youth and Strategies to Minimize Exposure: Proceedings of a Workshop. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
doi: 10.17226/29227.
Suggested Citation:
"Appendix B: Workshop Agenda." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2026. Exploring Risks of Repeated Head Impacts in Youth and Strategies to Minimize Exposure: Proceedings of a Workshop. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
doi: 10.17226/29227.
Suggested Citation:
"Appendix B: Workshop Agenda." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2026. Exploring Risks of Repeated Head Impacts in Youth and Strategies to Minimize Exposure: Proceedings of a Workshop. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
doi: 10.17226/29227.
Suggested Citation:
"Appendix B: Workshop Agenda." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2026. Exploring Risks of Repeated Head Impacts in Youth and Strategies to Minimize Exposure: Proceedings of a Workshop. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
doi: 10.17226/29227.
Suggested Citation:
"Appendix B: Workshop Agenda." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2026. Exploring Risks of Repeated Head Impacts in Youth and Strategies to Minimize Exposure: Proceedings of a Workshop. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
doi: 10.17226/29227.
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