12/05/2026
Ottawa, Ontario — Tuesday May 12, 2026
A concussion injury can affect anyone, at any age. But where a person first seeks care – and whether they receive follow‑up – may depend on more than just the injury itself.
A new study from Roger Zemek and the TRANSCENDENT Concussion Research Program examined how socioeconomic factors influence where people first seek concussion care, and whether they receive follow‑up support.
Examining health data at ICES from more than 670,000 people in Ontario with a concussion injury, the researchers found that greater social and economic marginalization, living in rural communities, and not having a primary care provider were factors that made it more likely for an individual to go to the emergency department for primary concussion care, which is less equipped for concussion injury treatment compared to outpatient clinics.
These same factors were also associated with lower rates of follow‑up care, an important part of a successful recovery that when missed, places kids and families at a disadvantage in their return to daily activities.
To provide more equitable access to concussion care for all kids and families, the research suggests strengthening primary care access and telemedicine support, while also ensuring emergency departments are better equipped to support primary concussion care.
“Families are often navigating the system with the options they have. If access to primary care or follow‑up is limited, people end up in the emergency department, even when concussion care would be better supported elsewhere. Improving access to primary care, follow‑up, and virtual options is one way we can take pressure off emergency departments and better support recovery for kids and families.” – Roger Zemek