There was a time when no one wore seat belts. We didn’t recognize their importance because the data wasn’t available. But as more studies proved their benefit in saving lives, laws started changing and so did people’s attitudes. Today, 85 percent of people use seat belts. The overwhelming amount of evidence became clear and we were smart enough to get the message. I see this same path unfolding when it comes to concussion awareness.

Let’s look at the timeline of concussion knowledge. As far back as 1933, the NCAA’s medical handbook warned that concussions were treated too lightly. Four years later, the American Football Coaches Association declared that players suffering a concussion should be removed from play and practice. Few people took notice.

Fast forward to 1997, when the American Academy of Neurology published guidelines for NFL players, recommending players be removed from the game if knocked unconscious. The NFL rejected those guidelines. It took another decade for an NFL commissioned survey to learn that former players suffer Alzheimer’s and dementia at a rate 19 times higher than non-players. Finally, in 2009, the NFL acknowledged the effects of head trauma.

In the case of seat belts, it took a lot of time, numerous studies and far too many injuries – even deaths – for the mountain of research to be acknowledged as evidence. But when it was taken seriously, car companies increased their focus on driver safety, improving seat belts, developing air bags, antilock brakes, and other innovations. Today, some car manufacturers are introducing systems to warn drivers of impending collisions.

Just as with seat belts, the evidence regarding concussions is clear. We cannot ignore the data that reveals the importance of proper recognition and treatment of concussions in order to save lives and prevent permanent damage or disability. Now we have helmet manufacturers working to improve their products, which are already dramatically more protective than they were a few years ago. We are also seeing innovations like “Heads Up Football” and “Shoulder Tackling” to help reduce the risk of head and spinal cord injuries.

We are a society that understands how to shift our focus when evidence is provided. We saw it with seat belts and we are now seeing it with concussion awareness. In fact, it’s becoming a trend to be proactive about concussions. That’s a good thing. It not only changes the conversation – it changes outcomes in a positive and healthy way.