Let’s Prevent Traumatic Brain Injury | Features | Injury Center

About 190 Americans die from TBI-related injuries each day.

A traumatic brain injury (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.

TBI is a major cause of death and disability in the United States, contributing to about 30% of all injury deaths. Those who survive TBI can face effects lasting a few days to disabilities that last the rest of their lives.

Effects of TBI can include:

• Impaired thinking or memory,
• Impaired movement,
• Impaired sensations, for example vision or hearing, or
• Emotional changes, for example personality changes or depression.

These issues can affect individuals and have lasting effects on families and communities.

The leading causes of nonfatal TBI include:

• Falls,
• Being struck by or against an object, and
• Motor vehicle crashes.

The leading causes of TBI that lead to death are suicide and falls.

Preventing older adult falls, improving safe play in sports, and increasing motor vehicle safety can reduce TBI. Public health approaches to injury prevention can reduce the rate of TBI and its long-term consequences.