Data Shows Prevalence of TBI in America
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than 2.8 million people suffer some form of traumatic brain injury (TBI) every year. The CDC defines a traumatic brain injury as any interruption of normal brain function as a consequence of trauma, such as a bump, jolt, or blow to the head. About 10% of traumatic brain injury patients require hospitalization. Most such injuries, however, are relatively mild and typically classified as concussions. Nonetheless, the CDC estimates that the direct and indirect costs of traumatic brain injury exceed $60 billion each year.
Age Factors for Traumatic Brain Injury
According to data collected by the CDC, those who are very young, very old, or in their late teens are most at risk for traumatic brain injury. Americans over the age of 75 have the highest incidences of TBI, with 100,000 emergency room visits each year. About half of those injuries are sustained in falls. Those under the age of 19 account for about 12% of all traumatic brain injuries.
Causes of Traumatic Brain Injury
For individuals between the ages of 15 and 44, motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of traumatic brain injury. For all other age groups, TBI is caused most often by a fall. Falls account for about one in five emergency room visits and 22% of all hospitalizations. Other common causes include the head being accidentally struck by or against an object and being the victim of a physical assault.
Contact Us to Set Up an Appointment
At Advantage Healthcare Systems, we have extensive experience working successfully with individuals who suffer traumatic brain injury. Call us toll-free at 1-877-487-8289. We offer locations across Texas, including Fort Worth, Dallas, and San Antonio.