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Woodson highlights the evolution of concussion diagnosis and treatment

  • Published
  • By Military Health System Communications Office
  • Defense Health Agency
FALLS CHURCH, Va. --  Since the global war on terror began in 2001, thousands of warfighters have suffered some form of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Of those TBI sustained in combat, the majority were caused by an improvised explosive device.  

Dr. Jonathan Woodson, assistant secretary of Defense for Health Affairs and leader of the Military Health System, talked about such concerns at a panel discussion about brain injuries held in downtown Washington at the Reserve Officers Association. “We’ve been at war for nearly 15 years, and many of our men and women have been in blast zones,” said Woodson. “This is an injury that is of great significance to us, and the manner in which we have tracked these injuries has matured as we’ve had to focus on how to better diagnose and treat brain injuries.” 

The event was arranged by Boston University, and featured other participants, including Mike Haynes, a Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee and longtime advocate for player health and safety, and Dr. Ann McKee, director of the chronic traumatic encephalopathy program at Boston University. The panel was moderated by Bob Tedeschi, a senior writer on patient issues.  

Woodson further expressed his commitment to caring for those who have suffered brain injuries by talking about how MHS is conducting more research to develop effective treatments for service members that suffer brain injuries. “Research by the Military Health System is focused on advancing the state of medical science, and discovering innovative approaches to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of traumatic brain injuries,” he said. “And this research is done in collaboration with academic centers. But it’s aimed at producing solutions to this vexing problem.”  

In 2013, President Obama named Woodson co-chair to a presidential task force on traumatic brain injury and mental health for service members and veterans. As part of their activities, a national research action plan was established to lay out a long-term blueprint to deal with this issue.  

“The president is interested in re-engineering the way research is done in this country, and breaking down barriers so researchers can share information and perhaps accelerate the development of solutions for brain injuries,” said Woodson. “Our research efforts and treatment protocols are geared toward improving care for servicemen and women. And this, in turn we hope will have benefits for the American public at large.”