Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

What is a 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.

According to the United States Center for Disease Control "TBIs contribute to a substantial number of deaths and cases of permanent disability annually. The Center for Disease Control estimates that at least 5.3 million Americans, about 2% of the U.S. population, currently have a long-term or lifelong need for help to perform activities of daily living as a result of 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 amnesia after the injury. Approximately 75% of TBIs that occur each year are concussions or other forms of mild TBI.

Recent data shows that, on average, approximately 1.4 million people sustain a TBI each year in the United States. Of those:

• 50,000 die;
• 235,000 are hospitalized; and
• 1.1 million are treated and released from an emergency department.

Among children ages 0 to 14 years, TBI results in an estimated:

• 2,685 deaths;
• 37,000 hospitalizations; and
• 435,000 emergency department visits.

The number of people with TBI who are not seen in an emergency department or who receive no care is unknown."

The Only Known Cure for Brain Injury is Prevention

There are many ways to reduce the chances of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), including: