Concussions are often associated with athletics, accidents, and combat. One segment of concussion sufferers that don’t get as much attention however are the victims of domestic violence (DV) who suffer from strangulation, blows to the head, or being shaken, among others. This webinar explores what is known about concussions based on literature, the assessment used for it, and programming implemented specific to rural and indigenous populations to address it.
This session’s instructors are:
- Hirsch Handmaker, Chairman and CEO of The CACTIS Foundation
- Elizabeth Hall-Lipsy, Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs and Assessment as well as an Associate Professor at The University of Arizona College of Pharmacy
Specifics they discussed in this presentation include:
- An overview of the focus and work of the CACTIS foundation surrounding the subject of traumatic brain injury and concussion.
- What a concussion is based on what causes it, its symptoms, and its long-term impact.
- How concussions gained significant attention in the sports world as well as the military.
- A history of the pivotal studies and initiatives taken by both private and public entities in an effort to address it.
- The other settings where concussions occur outside of sports and combat.
- Zeroing in on DV-related concussions and how the effects of concussions in athletes and those who worked in the military are similar to victims of DV.
- Data gathered through the Maricopa County Collaboration on Concussion from Domestic Violence (MC3DV) and the Mesa Pilot that revealed the prevalence of concussions in DV settings.
- The link between DV, concussions, and suicide ideation.
- How far back “battered wife” issues go, and the lack of discussion and attention given to it.
- Literature and research that outlined how traumatic brain injury, concussions, and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy are linked to DV.
- The Near Point Convergence (NPC) testing which can screen for possible concussion.
- How DV victims tend to have convergence insufficiency, how this impacts DV victims’ day-to-day life, and how multiple concussions exacerbate its effects.
- How COVID-19-related lockdowns and stay-at-home orders have led to an increase in domestic violence incidents and, consequently, concussions.
- Facts and figures demonstrating the age and gender of victims and the perpetrator’s profile.
- How rural populations are adversely impacted by DV-related concussion and traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to the lack of access to service providers.
- How the set-up during the COVID-19 pandemic provided insights on utilizing pharmacies as a resource for those who need help in rural settings.
- The Rural Health Pharmacy Training Program aimed to address the shortage of pharmacists in rural communities.
- The Rural Pharmacy Safe Zone (RPSZ) Program for Victims of Intimate Partner Violence and Concussions.
- How it leveraged the PharmD students from the Rural Health Pharmacy Training program to provide DV-TBI victims with resources.
- A rundown of the initiatives undertaken to help connect DV-TBI victims with resources for treatment, therapy, and support for various needs.
- The higher incidence of DV-TBI and concussions in indigenous populations in Arizona.
- How DV-TBI aren’t accurately reported, and the efforts being made to access and analyze electronic health records from the Indian Health Service RPMS to capture the data.
- Grassroots programs led by the indigenous populations to address DV and DV-related concussions within their community.
Questions from the webinar attendees are about:
- Shoe cards – what they are and how they are used.
- Recommended screenings or medical algorithms in TB and concussions.
- Collaborating with CACTIS outside of Arizona and other states with similar pharmacist-led programming.
- What the MC3DV is.
- Areas within pharmacies where resources on DV, TBI, and concussions are best placed in.
Other Webinars with this Organization
- June 15: Intimate Partner Violence and Resultant Concussions in Rural Locations including Indigenous Populations (this webinar)
- Oct 19: Traumatic Brain Injury from Intimate Partner Violence in Pregnant Individuals
Resources and Handouts
- Handout: Population Level Epidemiology of Concussion Concurrent with Domestic Violence in Arizona
- Article Referenced: Head Injury and Battered Women: an Initial Inquiry
- Invisible Wounds Healing from Trauma Podcast
Audience Comments
- “Everything was very valuable! Thank you so much!” — Shona
- “Thanks for this webinar as always was amazing!!” — Mery
- “I appreciated the timeline of TBI awareness… very informative.” — Alethia
- “So many things – fascinating statistics, loved the sports comparisons. …Thank you – enjoyed it a lot!” — Kim
- “Great information on all aspects of IPV/TBI and the pharmacy program!” — Kerri
- “Interesting and did not realize how concussions could after people later on with anger issues etc.” — Edward
- “I had no idea pharmacists engaged so much in public health generally and specifically in IPV issues. Thank you this was very helpful! — Anne
- “I feel as if all the information provided was valuable as this was my first training on how IPV and concussions go together. Thank you for such an informative training.” — Ashley
- “How the testimony or statements of DV victims can be affected by consequences or concussions. How can this understanding inform policies on the way victims of DV are asked to render their account of their experience of DV?” — Chris Ann
- “I have had a number of clients with TBIs and the information in this webinar gives me insight into why they may think and behave the ways they do. Thank you.” — Daryl
This webinar is part of the JCH Summer School Program. From June 1-August 31, 2023, attendees will receive a certificate of attendance via email about one hour after the conclusion of a webinar.
Want to join us for other Summer School webinars? Check out our Summer School Calendar and register today!
