Brain Injury
Brain Injuries + The Alarming Statistics
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) can affect anyone at any age, but there are some groups that are more affected than others. Children aged 0 to 4 years, adolescents/teens aged 15 to 19 years and adults aged 65 years and older are most likely to sustain a TBI. Brain injuries from falls are the leading cause of death for people over age 75.
What is a traumatic brain injury (TBI)? The CDC defines it as, “caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the normal function of the brain.” Those bumps, blows and bolts can be minor like a concussion or severe all the way up to causing death. Even a “minor” concussion is getting more attention in the world of sports where people who receive repeated concussions for many years are seeing long term affects. If you have watched the news or read the paper in the last year, the NFL has been making the news as players who are experiencing the effects of their years of playing are now suing the NFL for damages in the millions of dollars.
How many people are estimated to have some type of brain injury each year in this country alone? 1.7 million people - There are more that go unreported.
Of those 1.7 million people who are injured, an alarming 52,000 die. TBI is a contributing factor to a third (30.5 percent) of all injury-related deaths in the United States.
Brain injury is also an expensive problem. Studies show that the direct medical costs and indirect costs of TBI totaled an estimated $60 billion in the United States in the year 2000. The costs have certainly risen since then.
If you are caring for someone with a traumatic brain injury, you are not alone and we can help! Reach out today to see how we can ease the pain.