(TIME) Since laws requiring more stringent monitoring of people who suffer head injuries in sports went into effect, concussion diagnoses have risen.
Diagnoses of concussions rose to a record high between 2010 and 2015, particularly among teens, according to a new report published by Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
The insurance company reports that more than 936,000 claims were filed for diagnosed concussions among its members, and that rates for adolescents between age 10 and 19 surged 71% during that time, while rates for adults increased by 26%.
Most of the teen spike is due to sports, especially football, since rates increased sharply during the sport’s fall season, according to the claims data.
Much of the increased diagnosis can be tied to heightened awareness of concussions and the health effects of brain injury, after states enforced laws requiring athletes who experienced brain injuries to obtain medical clearance before resuming practice or play in a game, the study authors say. Teens were five times more likely to be diagnosed with a concussion than all other age groups combined.
