We are excited to announce that on June 16, 2022 the CUHSD Board of Trustees approved an agreement with the Kyle J Taylor Foundation to provide Heart Screenings for athletes. In accordance with this agreement, we will be requiring that all 9th and 11th grade athletes have a heart screening as part of their clearance for participation in athletics. The foundation will work with your program to schedule a heart screening on your campus to operate alongside/in conjunction with the physicals you offer.
Why this change?
Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is the #1 killer of student athletes in the U.S., the #1 cause of death on school campuses, and the #2 cause of medical death among youth under age 25. Electrocardiogram (ECG) heart screening is the most effective tool to identify youth at risk for SCA. Given that 75% of fatalities for student athletes during sports are cardiovascular related, ECG screenings for student athletes can be a valuable component of the clearance process for athletic activity. There are at least seven recent CUHSD alumni who have been affected by SCA, six of whom lost their lives to this condition. All of them had their usual pre-athletics physical screening and underlying conditions had been missed. The seventh knew about SCA and asked his doctor for a screening; this led to identification of an underlying condition and proper treatment.
What do 9th and 11th grade athletes need to do?
Athletes in grades 9 and 11 will need to get a heart screening, either as part of or in addition to their athletic physical, prior to participation in sports.
- If their outside doctor completing their physical provides this screening, that meets the requirement.
- If their outside doctor completing their physical does not provide this screening, they can complete the requirement by getting the screening done at your on campus event hosted by the Foundation ($10).
- If they get the physical done at your on campus event, they can also get their screening done at your on campus event hosted by the Foundation ($10).
What will this mean for you?
- Use the updated physical form above; it includes the heart screening requirement for 9th/11th graders.
- Work with the representatives from the Kyle J Taylor Foundation to schedule the heart screening event(s) on your campus and communicate information about the event; I will send an introductory email connecting you on July 11 so that you can start planning.
- Update websites and other communication channels to include the updated form and the new requirement.
FAQs:
Q: What about 10th and 12th grade students?
A: These students are not required to get a heart screening, but they are welcomed to participate in your on campus heart screening events if the Foundation can handle the additional numbers. Please work with them to decide if they can be accommodated.
Q: What if a 9th/11th grade athlete already got their physical and didn't get a heart screening?
A: The athlete can either return to their doctor's office or the provider to request a heart screening and an updated form, or they can get their heart screening done at your on campus event for $10.
Q: What if a 9th/11th grade athlete has a financial barrier that makes it difficult for them to get the heart screening?
A: Currently, there is a small charge to the doctor who provides your on campus physicals. Whatever methods you utilize to assist with this barrier can also be explored for the cost of the heart screening.