The National Football League (NFL) announced on October 13, 2023 that the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has joined its Smart Hearts Coalition. Read the release.
Founded in March of this year in response to the life-saving emergency care provided to Damar Hamlin, the NFL’s Smart Hearts Coalition is advocating for all 50 states to adopt evidence-based policies that will prevent fatal outcomes from Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) among high school students. The coalition’s three primary goals are:
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Adoption and regular rehearsal of evidence-based policies and procedures that ensure high school athlete health and safety.
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Ensure AEDs are visible and accessible at all high school sports competitions.
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Ensure all high school coaches and trainers are CPR-certified.
ACSM’s membership in the coalition is a strategic fit given its focus on athlete health and safety, the subject matter expertise of its members, published research and resources, and programs that focus on youth sports, health and safety. As a member of the coalition, ACSM will have representation on its legislative and communications subcommittees.
“The American College of Sports Medicine proudly supports the NFL's Smart Heart Sports Coalition because we all share the same priority of protecting young athletes,” said Chief Medical Officer Bill Roberts, M.D., FACSM. “Together with our fellow coalition members, we look forward to helping achieve the worthy goal of preventing fatal outcomes from sudden cardiac arrest."
Several ACSM resources related to heart health can be found here.
Media Contact: Sharon Smith, Media and Public Relations Manager, American College for Sports Medicine, ssmith@acsm.org / Cell: 317-506-7982