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Our research is protected by the highest standards of integrity.

Your privacy and confidentiality are extremely important to the Football Players Health Study team. All the information that you share will be de-identified (removing names and other information that could be used to identify you) and stored separately from all of your contact information in secure Harvard University databases. The questionnaires do not include your name, but are labeled with a code. Only a small number of trained study staff will be able to link your name to your code. When study results are shared, only de-identified results will be presented.

The study team has also obtained a Certificate of Confidentiality issued by the National Institutes of Health. This is an important protection used when collecting sensitive information and adds special protection for the research information that may identify you.  With this, the study team cannot disclose information that may identify you, even under a court order or subpoena, unless you give permission.

The NFLPA has no role in the design and conduct of our research; in the collection, management, analysis and interpretation of the data; in the preparation, review or approval of manuscripts, or in the decision to submit manuscripts for publication.

You can find information about research integrity and compliance at Harvard Medical School on the Office for Academic and Research Integrity’s website.

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Privacy & Confidentiality

With whom is my information shared?

Only a limited number of Harvard University researchers have access to the information you share with us. Your personal information will not be shared with the NFLPA or any other organization or entity.

We are not a part of current lawsuits or settlements. We are not a part of any insurance plans, and all information you share is separate from your medical records.

How is your data protected by our Study?

The Football Players Health Study team has obtained a Certificate of Confidentiality issued by the National Institutes of Health. This is an important protection used when collecting sensitive information and adds special protection for the research information that may identify you.  With this protection, the study team cannot disclose information that may identify you, even under a court order or subpoena, unless you give permission.

How do we work to protect your privacy and confidentiality?

As a research institution, our Study operates under the Office of Research Integrity at Harvard University.

We have also obtained a Certificate of Confidentiality issued by the National Institutes of Health. This is an important protection used when collecting sensitive information and adds special protection for the research information that may identify you.  With this protection, the study team cannot disclose information that may identify you, even under a court order or subpoena, unless you give permission.

 

Why will we contact you?

We will contact you for research opportunities, events, results, and other important study news. Your contact information is confidential, and we will not distribute your contact information to anyone outside the study or a collaborator without your explicit consent.