Cherokee County testing athletes for concussions
WOODSTOCK, Ga. -- This week the U.S. government announced a probe into the rise in sports-related concussions in young people.
It comes amid concerns over the suicides and other tragedies involving professional athletes.
This school year, Cherokee County Schools has instituted a program used by the NCAA and professional sports teams called ImPACT, which stands for Immediate Post-concussive Assessment and Cognitive Testing.
It's sponsored by Northside Hospital-Cherokee, and it's a way to help doctors and coaches manage concussion cases.
Fifteen percent of all high school injuries involve concussions and a large portion of them are in kids that have already had a least one concussion.
"I've had one before. But nothing major," said Joey Payton, a wrestler and junior at Etowah High School. "It hurts your head; that's all I know."