Think First Fact Sheet

Brain Injury

General Information

In general, injury is the leading cause of mortality among Americans under 45 years of age. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is responsible for the majority of these deaths. 1

Death and Injury

 It is estimated that TBI claims more than 56,000 American lives, annually.2 Each year, approximately 373,000 Americans are hospitalized as a result of TBI. Of these, 99,000 individuals sustain moderate to severe brain injuries resulting in lifelong disabling conditions. 3  Vehicle crashes are the leading cause of TBI, accounting for 50% of all injuries. Falls are the second leading cause, accounting for more than 20% of all TBI.  More than 50% of persons with brain injury were intoxicated at the time of injury.4 5  After one traumatic brain injury, the risk for a second injury is three times greater; after a second TBI, the risk for a third injury is eight times greater.6  In the 15 seconds it takes to read these statistics, one person in the U.S. sustains a traumatic brain injury.7

Where and When these Injuries Most Likely Occur

 Most TBI's occur mid afternoon to early evening, on weekends and during summer months. 8  Children especially are at risk in the afternoon hours after they are dismissed from school. In 1995, 42.6% of children's injuries occurred on roads, 34.3% at home and 6.6% in recreation areas. 9

Who Most Likely Incurs This Type of Injury

 Males 14-24 years old are the highest risk category, followed by infants and the elderly.  Males are twice as likely as females to sustain TBI due to differences in risk exposure and lifestyles.  According to the National Pediatric Trauma Registry, more than 30,000 children sustain permanent disabilities as a result of brain injury every year.10 Health Costs

 The cost of TBI in the United States is estimated to be $48.3 billion, annually.  Hospitalization accounts for $31.7 billion of the total, annually, whereas fatal brain injuries cost the nation $16.6 billion.

Prevention Tips

 Always wear a SNELL-, ANSI- and/or ASTM-certified bicycle helmet and/or protective gear when riding a bicycle, skate board, or in-line skating.  Always wear a motorcycle helmet when riding a motorcycle.  Always wear a safety belt when driving or riding in a motor vehicle.  Never drink and drive. Always have a designated driver.  Always observe and obey speed limits, traffic signs and signals.  Make sure when playing on a playground that the ground surface is soft and free of debris and rocks.

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1. Brain Injury Association 2. Kraus JF, McArthur, DL Epidemiology of Brain Injury. Los Angeles: University of California Los Angeles, Dept. Of Epidemiology, Southern California Injury Prevention Research Center, Feb. 1995. In press. 3. Kraus J, Sorenson S. Epidemiology. In Silver J, Yodofsky S. Hales R (eds), Neuropsychiatry of TBI. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press, Inc., 1994. 4. Ruff RM, Marshall LF, Klauber MR, Blunt BA, Grant 1, Foulkes MA, et al. Alcohol abuse and neurological outcome of the severely head injured. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation. 1990; 5:21-31. 5. Kreutzer JS, Doherty R, Harris JA, Zasler ND. Alcohol abuse among persons with traumatic brain injury. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation 1990; 5:9-20. 6. Annegers JF, Garbow JD, Kurland LT, et al. The incidence, causes and secular trends of head trauma in Olmstead County Minnesota, 19935-1974. Neurology 1980; 30:912-919. 7. FDA Consumer. Head Injuries. Health Response Ability Systems, 1993. (File downloaded from AOL). 8. Rimel RW. Jane JA. Characteristics of the head-injured patient. In Tosenthal M, Griffith ER, Bond MR, Miller JD (eds). Rehabilitation of the Head Injured Adult. Philadelphia: FA Davis 1983. 9. Research and Training Center in Rehabilitation and Childhood Trauma. National Pediatric Trauma Registry. Boston: Tufts University School of Medicine, New England Medical Center, April 1995. 10. Research and Training Center in Rehabilitation and Childhood Trauma. National Pediatric Trauma Registry. Boston: Tufts University School of Medicine, New England Medical Center, Spring 1993