MONROE, N.J.—The Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association (NORA) is among 20 advocacy groups to join a coalition to help raise awareness of the seriousness of concussions. The new coalition, “Concussion Awareness Now,” was announced by Abbott and the Brain Injury Association of America. The coalition will produce educational campaigns and other awareness efforts focused on seeking care for a possible concussion. It is teaming with actress and comedian Rebel Wilson to raise awareness of the seriousness of concussions. The groups joining the coalition represent people who have sustained brain injuries, their caregivers and those who treat brain injury, from veterans, older adults and victims of domestic violence to emergency care physicians, physicians’ assistants and urgent care centers and athletic trainers.

"With Concussion Awareness Now, we have no small goal," said Susan Connors, chief executive officer of the Brain Injury Association of America. "We want to change the societal norm about concussions so that when you sustain a potentially serious hit or jolt to your head, or your loved one does, you won't hesitate to get it checked and get on the right path to the best possible care."

Concussion Awareness Now members include:

● Abbott (co-chair)
● Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) (co-hhair)
● American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA)
● American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
● American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA)
● American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
● Center on Partner-Inflicted Brain Injury (part of Ohio Domestic Violence Network)
● International Sports Vision Association (ISVA)
● Missouri Athletic Trainers Association (MOATA)
● National Association of State Head Injury Administrators (NASHIA)
● National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA)
● National Council on Aging (NCOA)
● National Neurotrauma Society (NNS)
● Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association (NORA)
● Pink Concussions
● Safe Living Space (SLS)
● United States Brain Injury Alliance (USBIA)
● Urgent Care Association/College of Urgent Care Medicine (UCA/CUCM)
● Wounded Warrior Project (WWP)