About Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a major cause of death and disability worldwide. TBI is defined as a non-degenerative, non-congenital insult to the brain from an external mechanical force, possibly leading to permanent or temporary impairments of cognitive, physical and psychosocial functions with an associated diminished or altered state of consciousness.1

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that more than 1.7 million Americans sustain TBI each year. Of these, approximately 1.1 million are treated and released from emergency centers, 275,000 are hospitalized, 80,000 suffer long-term disability and 52,000 die.2 Incidence of TBI in all industrialized countries is comparable to the U.S., with estimates ranging from 150 to more than 300 per 100,000.3 There are approximately 66,000 deaths annually attributed to TBI in Europe.4

In 2003, U.S. TBI rates were highest in the very young (ages 0-4 years), followed by adolescents (ages 15-24 years) and the elderly (age > 65 years). Injury rates were the lowest for adults between 45-64 years.5

In the U.S., the direct and indirect costs of TBI are estimated at $60 billion.6

  1. Dawodu et al., Traumatic Brain Injury: Definition, Epidemiology, Pathophysiology http://www.emedicine.com/pmr/TOPIC212.HTM (2007).
  2. Langlois, J.A., Rutland-Brown, W., and Thomas, K.E. (2006). Traumatic Brain Injury in the United States: Emergency Department Visits, Hospitalizations, and Deaths. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.
  3. Traumatic Brain Injury: Methods for Clinical and Forensic Neuropsychiatric Assessment, p.2, Granacher, ed. (CRC Press 2003).
  4. Socin, D.M., et al. (1995). JAMA 273(22), 1778-80.
  5. Brown, A.W., et.al. (2008) Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabil., 89 (Suppl 1), S3-8.
  6. Langlois, J.A., Rutland-Brown, W., and Thomas, K.E. (2006). Traumatic Brain Injury in the United States: Emergency Department Visits, Hospitalizations, and Deaths. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.