CDC - Traumatic Brain Injury - Injury Center

Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious public health problem in the United States.  Each year, traumatic brain injuries contribute to a substantial number of deaths and cases of permanent disability. Recent data shows that, on average, approximately 1.7 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury annually.1

A TBI is caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the normal function of the brain. Not all blows or jolts to the head result in a TBI. The severity of a TBI 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. The majority of TBIs that occur each year are concussions or other forms of mild TBI.2

CDC’s research and programs work to prevent TBI and help people better recognize, respond, and recover if a TBI occurs.

Traumatic Brain Injury Topics

• Concussion and Mild TBI
• Severe TBI
• Concussion in Sports
• Clinical Diagnosis and Management

• Statistics
• Long-term Outcomes
• Causes and Risk Groups
• Prevention

• Traumatic Brain Injury in the United States: Emergency Department Visits, Hospitalizations, and Deaths, 2002-2006. Available as [PDF 2MB ] or [Word 482K ].
• New Report – Surveillance for Traumatic Brain Injury–Related Deaths — United States, 1997–2007, MMWR Surveillance Summaries

Research Activities

• Traumatic Brain Injuries Related to Sports and Recreation Activities Among Persons Aged ≤19 Years — United States, 2001–2009
• TBI Reports and Fact Sheets
• Research Findings on Treatment Guidelines for Severe TBI
• CDC Study Finds Traumatic Brain Injuries Can Result from Seniors Falls

Educational Initiatives and Campaigns

• Heads Up: Brain Injury in Your Practice
• Heads Up: Concussion in High School Sports
• Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports
• Heads Up: Prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome
• Heads Up to Schools: Know Your Concussion ABCs
• Help Seniors Live Better, Longer: Prevent Brain Injury

References

1. Faul M, Xu L, Wald MM, Coronado VG. 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; 2010.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Report to Congress on mild traumatic brain injury in the United States: steps to prevent a serious public health problem. Atlanta (GA): Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2003.

CDC - Traumatic Brain Injury - Injury Center