Latest statistics on brain injury from CDC

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) has released its Surveillance Summaries for Traumatic Brain Injury related deaths in the United States from 1997-2007.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability in the United States. During 1997–2007, an annual average of 53,014 deaths among U.S. residents were associated with traumatic brain injuries.  During this period, overall TBI-related death rates decreased 8.2%; by age group, the rates decreased among persons aged ≤44 years but increased among those aged ≥75 years. Firearm- (34.8%), motor-vehicle– (31.4%), and fall-related TBIs (16.7%) were the leading causes of TBI-related death. Rates of TBI-related deaths were higher among young and older adults and certain minority populations.

To read the full text of this report, click here.