California is failing our athletes

OPINION – California is letting our athletes down. From high school athletes to the amateur physically active individual entering their first marathon, California is failing to protect them. As a supporter of physical, mental, and emotional health for all, I am in shock that a state known as being a national leader in public policy is the only state in the nation that does not require minimum educational and clinical training standards for athletic trainers as healthcare professionals. But the California Legislature can correct this omission by passing a bill by Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber, Assembly Bill 796, which would require California to finally regulate athletic trainers.

The importance of qualified athletic trainers was illustrated earlier this year when assistant athletic trainer Denny Kellington saved the life of Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin after he collapsed on the field from cardiac arrest. It has been widely reported that the immediate response of Kellington, who administered CPR to Hamlin, was vital to not just saving his life, but also his neurological function.  Recently, a long-time football coach at Ganesha HS in Southern California suffered a cardiac arrest and was brought back to life by certified athletic trainer, Ariel Castro

Athletic trainers are health care professionals that provide emergency care and therapeutic intervention of injuries and medical conditions, both on and off the field, so it is shocking that California is the only state in the nation to not regulate athletic trainers. Especially since California has a reputation as a national leader on numerous policy issues, such as global climate change, for example. And speaking of climate change, athletic trainers are essential in preventing heat related illness on the field. The key determinant for good prognosis following heat stroke is rapid recognition and treatment since delay in treatment nearly always leads to long term complications or death. And heat related illness can impact all of us when engaging in physical activity- from amateurs running in a marathon, to small children playing soccer, to the brave men and women training in boot camp for the armed services or serving as firefighters or police officers in California communities.

Unfortunately, since California is the only state without regulation standards in place, anyone can call themselves an athletic trainer, regardless of education or training, and work with you or your child. And it is estimated that approximately fifty percent of our high schools employ unqualified personnel in the role of an athletic trainer or no one at all. As a result, California has been rated last in the nation for high school athlete safety in a study conducted by the Korey Stringer Institute, which advocates for athlete safety policies. The study ranked all fifty states regarding the implementation of evidence-based best practices for preventing and managing the leading causes of sudden death in secondary school athletics.  California earned zero points in the health care professional coverage category since California does not regulate athletic trainers and does not require qualified athletic trainers on site during contact practice, which lead to its abysmally low score of 30.8 out of a possible 100. California is literally failing in terms of athletic safety.

This is why Assemblymember Akilah Weber’s bill is so important. By passing Assembly Bill 796, the state Legislature would be showing its commitment to the safety and health of our athletes and their well-being. Assembly Bill 796 recognizes the importance of having certified athletic trainers in California by requiring athletic trainers to pass a national certification exam before being able to practice and it makes sure that those who are certified are qualified to do their job. It would also offer greater assurance to parents and athletes and provide better, more targeted care for ALL athletes in California.

Assembly Bill 796 currently sits in the Senate Business and Professions Committee and is eligible for a vote in 2024. I strongly urge the Legislature to pass Assembly Bill 796 as soon as possible when it is eligible to move next year. Ensuring that California has certified athletic trainers is essential as we look to keep athletes safe and healthy. Because we are ALL athletes.

Dr. Ky Kugler, EdD, ATC is the President of the California Athletic Trainers Association