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.

Publications and 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

Rahila Saeed
Rahila.Saeed@state.ma.us
617-624-5460

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