Citation

Hanson A, Jolly NA, Peterson J. J. Health Econ. 2017; 53: 87-99.

Affiliation

Department of Economics, Marquette University, P.O. Box 1881, Milwaukee, WI 53211, United States. Electronic address: jeremy.peterson@marquette.edu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jhealeco.2017.01.004

PMID

28319792

Abstract

In response to increasing public awareness and negative long-term health effects of concussions, the National Football League implemented the "Crown-of-the-Helmet Rule" (CHR). The CHR imposes penalties on players who initiate contact using the top of the helmet. This paper examines the intended effect of this policy and its potential for unintended consequences. We find evidence supporting the intended effect of the policy- a reduction in weekly concussion reports among defensive players by as much as 32% (34% for all head and neck injuries), but also evidence of an increase in weekly lower extremity injury reports for offensive players by as much as 34%.

Keywords: American football

Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Health outcomes; Safety regulation; Unintended consequences