Usefulness of comprehensive feasibility studies in environmental epidemiology investigations: a case study in Minnesota.

Episodes of public water supply contamination with industrial or agricultural chemicals frequently give rise to public concerns about adverse health effects. These concerns may precipitate epidemiologic or clinical investigations requiring large expenditures of state and federal resources regardless of whether such investigations are justified by scientific criteria. An alternative is a comprehensive feasibility study, utilizing all available information to determine whether large-scale studies are warranted or feasible. At a relatively modest cost, a feasibility study allows health officials to identify information needs and deficiencies, outline potential study options and costs, clearly establish the rationale for a proposed study or, conversely, prevent unwarranted expenditures of public resources. Furthermore, a feasibility study may in itself resolve many community and scientific concerns. This article provides a case study of the usefulness of a formal feasibility study in a situation involving an elevated cancer rate and contaminated municipal water supply wells surrounding a federal superfund site.

Concussion incidences and severity in secondary school varsity football players.

The head coaches and players of 103 secondary school football teams in Minnesota were asked to respond to mail questionnaires. Information about injury incidence and concomitant health care provision was elicited. Responses from 3,063 players (81 per cent) yielded a total injury rate of 78 injuries/100 players; 19/100 players reported a concussion experience characterized by loss of consciousness and/or loss of awareness. Of the players who experienced a loss of consciousness, 69 per cent were returned to play the same day. Persistent concussion symptoms were reported as long as six to nine months following the end of the season; six cases involved permanent disabilities. Continued use of illegal techniques of butt-blocking and face-tackling by as many as 40 per cent of the players was associated with apparent increased risks of concussions and concussion symptoms. Players with a prior history of loss of consciousness had a risk of loss of consciousness four times that of the player without a prior history.

Spinal Trauma and Symptoms in High School Football Players.

In brief: Responses from 101 coaches (98%) and 3,063 players (81%) In a retrospective epidemiological study of 103 Minnesota secondary school varsity football teams showed an overall injury rate of 78 injuries per 100 players, which included a high incidence of spinal trauma and spinal trauma symptoms. Recognition of the incidence, severity, and chronicity of spinal trauma requires ongoing assessment of participants in contact activities. Continued use of the illegal techniques of butt-blocking and face-tackling by as many as 40% of the players was found to increase the risk of these symptoms significantly.