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Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is defined as a blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the function of the brain. Not all blows or jolts to the head result in a TBI. The severity of such an injury may range from “mild,” i.e., a brief change in mental status or consciousness to “severe,” i.e., an extended period of unconsciousness or amnesia after the injury. A TBI can result in short or long-term problems with independent function.

Approximately 1.4 million people have a TBI each year in the U.S., and about 50,000 die from the TBI. At least 5.3 million Americans currently have a long-term or lifelong disability due to a TBI. The leading causes of TBI are motor vehicle crashes, falls, and assaults.

Reports

Massachusetts Statistics

  • In 2005 there were 571 deaths among MA residents which were associated with a traumatic brain injury (TBI). In FY 2005, there were 5193 inpatient hospitalizations, 1303 observation stays and 39,640 emergency department visits for nonfatal traumatic brain injury at MA acute care hospitals.
  • The leading cause of TBI-related death, hospitalization and emergency department visits is a fall.
  • Older MA residents, ages 65 years and over, have the highest rates of TBI-related death and hospitalization.
  • Infants under 1 year of age in MA have the highest rates of emergency room visits for a nonfatal TBI.
  • Most (68%) TBI-related deaths in 2005 were unintentional. Seventeen percent of TBI-related deaths were due to suicide. Ten percent of TBI-related deaths were due to homicide.

Prevention Tips

Adapted from CDC at http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/tbi/Prevention.htm.

  • Wear a seat belt every time you drive or ride in a motor vehicle.
  • Buckle your child in the car using a child safety seat, booster seat, or seat belt (according to the child’s height, weight, and age).
  • Never drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
  • Wear a helmet and make sure your children wear helmets when:
    • Riding a bike, motorcycle, snowmobile, scooter, or all-terrain vehicle
    • Playing a contact sport, such as football, ice hockey, or boxing
  • Make living areas safer for seniors and children to prevent falls.
  • Make sure the surface on your child’s playground is made of shock-absorbing material, such as hardwood mulch or sand.
  • Stay away from violence and guns.

Related Links

For More Information

To learn more about traumatic brain injury, please contact us.

 

This information is provided by the Injury Prevention and Control Program within the Department of Public Health.