March is Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Month. According to the Center for Disease Control, 2.5 million emergency room visits, hospitalizations or deaths in the United States were associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The Facts
TBI is a major cause of death and disability in the United States, contributing to about 30 percent of all injury deaths. Every day, 138 people in the United States die from injuries that include TBI. Those who survive a TBI can face effects lasting a few days to disabilities that may last the rest of their lives. Effects of TBI can include impaired thinking, memory, movement, sensation (e.g., vision or hearing) and emotional functioning (e.g. personality changes, depression). These issues not only affect individuals but can have lasting effects on families and communities.

What is a TBI?
A TBI is caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the normal function of the brain. Not all jolts to the head result in a TBI. The severity of a TBI may range from “mild” (i.e. a brief change in mental status or consciousness) to “severe” (i.e. an extended period of unconsciousness or memory loss after the injury). Most TBIs are mild, commonly called concussions.

Traumatic Brain Injury Causes
Falls 40.5%
Unintentionally struck by/against object  15.5%
Traffic accidents 14.3%
Assaults 10.7%
Unknown 19%

TBI Risk Factors  
Men are nearly three times as likely to die as women.
Rates are highest for persons 65 years and older.
Falls are the leading cause of death for persons 65 years or older.
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause for children and young adults ages 5-24 years.
Assaults are the leading cause for children ages 0-4.

    Source: Center for Disease Control