New York City Statistics for Traumatic Brain Injuries

Each year, traumatic brain injuries (TBI) result in the death of over 2,000 New York State residents and the hospitalization of 14,000 New Yorkers. Along with thousands of deaths and hospitalizations each year, an estimated 75% of all TBI cases are treated and released from emergency departments.

Following injury prevention guidelines can prevent many of the deaths and disabilities caused by traumatic brain injury. TBI is an injury to the brain or skull caused by an external force such as a strike or impact. Unlike other injuries such as broken legs or cut fingers that can heal, brain injuries are often permanent and disabling.

The risk of sustaining a TBI is greatest for young children, young adults and the elderly. Males are twice as likely to suffer a TBI as females. The leading causes of TBI continue to be falls, motor vehicle crashes, and assaults. The violent shaking of an infant or toddler and is a leading cause of serious brain injury in young children.