What is a traumatic brain injury?
A traumatic brain injury 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 the 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.
TBI In Utah
- 2,505 Utahns suffered from a TBI in 2006 for a rate of 9.6 per 10,000 population.
- 17.8% (n=445) of TBI victims died as a result of the injury.
- An average hospital stay for a TBI was 4.3 days at an average cost of $29,300.
TBIs contribute to a substantial number of deaths and cases of permanent disability annually.
Of the 1.4 million who sustain a TBI each year in the United States:
Of the 1.4 million who sustain a TBI each year in the United States:
- 50,000 die;
- 235,000 are hospitalized; and
- 1.1 million are treated and released from an emergency department.
Among children ages 0 to 14 years, TBI results in an estimated:
- 2,685 deaths;
- 37,000 hospitalizations; and
- 435,000 emergency department visits annually.
Langlois JA, Rutland-Brown W, Thomas KE. 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; 2004.
Utah Department of Health, violence and injury prevention program, TBI database
