What is a traumatic brain injury?

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.

How many people have TBI?

In 2014, there were approximately 2.87 million TBI in the United States, including over 837,000 occurring among children. This includes:

• Approximately 2.53 million TBI-related ED visits, including over 812,000 occurring among children.

• Approximately 288,000 TBI-related hospitalizations, including over 23,000 occurring among children.

• 56,800 TBI-related deaths, including 2,529 occurring among children.

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

What causes TBI?

• Intentional self-harm, unintentional falls, and motor vehicle crashes were the most common mechanisms of injury contributing to a TBI-related death. These three principal mechanisms of injury accounted for 32.5%, 28.1%, 18.7%, of all TBI-related deaths.

• Rates of TBI-related deaths per 100,000 population were highest among older adults aged ≥75 years (78.5), those aged 65-74 years (24.7), and individuals 55-64 years (19.1).

Among TBI-related deaths in 2014:

• Rates were highest for persons 75 years of age and older.

• The leading cause of TBI-related deaths varied by age:

  • Falls were the leading cause of death for persons 65 years of age or older.

  • Intentional self-harm was the leading cause of death for persons 45-64 years of age.

  • Motor vehicle crashes were the leading cause of death for persons 15-24, 25-34, and older adults aged ≥75 years.

  • Homicide was the leading cause of death for children ages 0-4 years.

Among TBI-related ED visits and hospitalizations in 2014:

• Hospitalization rates were highest among persons 75 years of age and older.

• Rates of ED visits were highest for persons 75 years of age and older and children 0-4 years of age.

• The leading cause of TBI-related ED visits varied by age:

  • Falls were the leading cause of ED visits among young children aged 0 to 4 years and older adults 65 years and older.

  • Being struck by or against an object was highest among those 5 to 14 years of age.

• The leading cause of TBI-related hospitalizations varied by age:

  • Falls were the leading cause of hospitalizations among children 0 to 17 years and adults 55 years of age and older.

  • Motor vehicle crashes were the leading cause of hospitalizations for adolescents and adults aged 15 to 44 years of age.

What are the costs of TBI?

• Direct medical costs and indirect costs such as lost productivity of TBI totaled an estimated $60 billion in the United States in 1995.

Previous information from CDC Website, March 26, 2021. For more information, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/get_the_facts.html