Only 66% of secondary schools in the U.S. have athletic trainers on staff. Let that sink in. One in three schools sends student-athletes onto the field without a trained medical professional present. This is a serious liability — and a life-or-death risk for your athletes.
Two new studies from the Korey Stringer Institute at the University of Connecticut find that when trained professionals are present, athletes are more likely to survive catastrophic injuries. Without them, outcomes turn grim fast. These aren’t merely abstract numbers for insurance reports or board presentations. They’re real lives that depend on immediate, expert care when the worst happens on your watch. If your district is still on the fence about hiring an AT, it’s past time to get off it.
The Real Numbers Behind Life and Death on the Field
From 2015 to 2021, researchers reviewed 21 exertional heat stroke cases. When schools had athletic trainers on staff, survival rates were significantly higher — just under 40% of those cases were fatal. But in schools without ATs, the fatality rate jumped to 100%.
Another study looking at catastrophic sports injuries (non-concussion brain injuries, spinal trauma, and cardiac events) from 2013 to 2021 showed similar patterns. Schools with ATs had lower rates of death or permanent disability, even when adjusting for racial and socioeconomic disparities.
Disparity in Access = Disparity in Survival
The data also reveals a systemic inequity: Socially disadvantaged schools — those farther from trauma centers, with more students on free/reduced lunch, and higher social deprivation index scores — were significantly less likely to employ athletic trainers. Unsurprisingly, these same schools see worse outcomes.
Among students who experienced catastrophic injuries:
- With an AT: 40% of white students and 48% of non-white students died or were permanently disabled.
- Without an AT: those numbers jumped to 54% for white students and 67% for non-white students.
This gap reinforces the urgency of equitable sports healthcare access. If you’re in a district with fewer resources, the margin for error is slimmer. Not investing in athletic trainers just widens that margin.
Bottom Line: ATs Are a Must-Have, Not a Nice-to-Have
There’s now a clear connection between having athletic trainers on staff and reducing athlete deaths and disabilities. If your program doesn’t already include one, you’re behind the curve … And you’re increasing the odds that your next injury could become a headline. Make it a priority in your next staffing and budget conversation. The return on investment could be a life saved.
