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Article
Safety Regulation in Professional Football: Empirical Evidence of Intended and Unintended Consequences
Journal of Health Economics
  • Andrew Hanson, Marquette University
  • Nicholas A. Jolly, Marquette University
  • Jeremy Peterson, Marquette University
Document Type
Article
Language
eng
Publication Date
5-1-2017
Publisher
Elsevier
Disciplines
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%.

Comments

Accepted version. Journal of Health Economics, Vol. 53 (May 2017): 87-99. DOI. © 2017 Elsevier. Used with permission.

Citation Information
Andrew Hanson, Nicholas A. Jolly and Jeremy Peterson. "Safety Regulation in Professional Football: Empirical Evidence of Intended and Unintended Consequences" Journal of Health Economics (2017) ISSN: 0167-6926
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/nicholas-jolly/8/