Understanding, Preventing, and Treating Head Impacts and Trauma/Blast Overpressure Injuries

Head trauma and impacts (HIT), along with blast overpressure (BOP) injuries, can cause symptoms that impair a law enforcement officers ability to perform their duties. These may include headaches, visual disturbances, memory loss, difficulty concentrating, irritability, anxiety, and depression. Often, these symptoms are misattributed solely to psychological causes. Understanding the underlying causes and recognizing HIT and BOP-related symptoms is essential for accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and long-term prevention. This presentation will examine the potential for neurodegenerative diseases resulting from prolonged exposure to HIT and BOP, and will explore evidence-based strategies for both prevention and care.

• Upon completion, attendees will be able to identify the potential symptoms and consequences of head impacts and trauma (HIT) as well as blast overpressure (BOP) injuries that law enforcement officers may be unknowingly experiencing.
• Upon completion, attendees will be able to describe strategies to prevent head impact and trauma (HIT) and blast overpressure (BOP) injuries among officers in the line of duty, to include during training.
• Upon completion, attendees will understand how head impact and trauma (HIT) and blast overpressure (BOP) injuries among law enforcement officers can be effectively treated.