TBI: Some Surprising Statistics

A traumatic brain injury(TBI) is a blow to the head that disrupts the function of the brain. Not all hits to the head result in a TBI. Injuries can be mild to fatal, it just depends on how hard the head was hit and the speed of the treatment that was given after the injury. Here are some surprising statistics regarding TBI.

How Many Cases of TBI Per Year?

There are over 2.5 million people each year in the United States that suffer from a traumatic brain injury. Of those 2.5 million, 50,000 die and 275,000 are hospitalized due to their injury.

Who Is at Risk for TBI?

Males are more at risk for TBI than females by almost double. The two age groups more at risk for TBI are 0 to 4 year olds and 15 to 19 year olds. Some career groups are at an increased risk of sustaining a TBI such as military personnel.

What Causes a TBI?

There are many reasons why TBI can occur. Causes often vary by age, gender, employment, etc. The most common causes of TBI are falls, car accidents, and assaults.

What Are the Long Term Consequences of TBI?

The direct and indirect costs of traumatic brain injury are very large. It is estimated that medical costs and loss of productivity costs the United States around $60 billion dollars. That along with 40% of TBI sufferers who were released from the hospital needed at least one service within the first year, there are far reaching financial consequences. Sufferers may find it difficult to get back to work or function normally in their daily life.

While these surprising statistics are scary, there are resources out there for you. If you have suffered a traumatic brain injury, join the TryMunity community today. We are happy to assist you, support you, and share with you.