Brain Injuries in New York
Each year in New York State, about 3,000 people die of traumatic brain injury (TBI), and 16,000 are hospitalized with traumatic brain injuries. At least 4,000 of those hospitalized have open skull fractures, damage to the skull contents, or prolonged loss of consciousness. TBI can result in lifelong impairment. Brain injuries tend to occur early in life. Highest frequencies are among infants and 17-year-olds. Potential consequences for those who survive include memory loss, inability to concentrate, speech problems, motor and sensory deficits, personality changes, and varying degrees of dependency. Unlike most other injuries, which after healing allow a return to near-normal living, brain injuries can result in profoundly altered lives.
Most brain injuries can be prevented. 22% of motor vehicle injuries include brain trauma. Highest frequencies occur among youth aged 16 to 18. Proven prevention strategies, including zero blood alcohol tolerance in teen drivers, are available but underutilized. Injuries to pedestrians struck by motor vehicles are among the most severe. One-third of hospital-treated pedestrian injuries involve brain injury. Prevention strategies are age-specific: education for children; enforcement of pedestrian regulations for the young and those of working age; changes in the walkway/roadway environment for the elderly. 38% of hospitalizations due to bicycle injuries involve head trauma. Bicycle helmets are an effective prevention strategy, but are often not worn. Surveys show that campaigns to promote helmet use are effective and more such projects are needed.
Assault is the leading cause of TBI in New York City, and the third leading cause in the rest of New York State. Promising prevention strategies, such as training youth in anger management and conflict resolution, should be evaluated and expanded. Falls cause TBI in all phases of life, especially among those younger than 5 years and older than 64. Parent education to remove fall hazards is an effective prevention strategy for the youngest. For the elderly, new prevention strategies against falls are being developed.
