Brain Injury Awareness Month

“Heads up!” March is Brain Injury Awareness month. Did you know there is a Congressional Brain Injury Task Force? On March 18^th members of congress’ task force and the Brain Injury Association of America will host an annual event in Washington to raise awareness. You can help too.

Information to promote Brain Injury Awareness Month

Here is some information to talk about in your classes:

• A traumatic brain injury (TBI) ranges from a mild concussion to a life-threatening injury.
• Concussions are a source of TBI, especially in young athletes. Learn about the signs, symptoms, care and prevention of concussions.
• Like most injuries, TBI is preventable.
  • Wear a seat belt
  • Use a helmet
  • Make living areas safer for seniors and children
• Statistically speaking, in the U.S. brain injury is all too common:
  • 1.7 million TBIs occur every year
  • There are over 50,000 TBI-related deaths annually, one third of all injury-related deaths!
  • TBI is on the rise
    • TBI-related ER visits are up 14% and hospitalizations are up almost 20%
    • Fall-related TBI in children aged 14 years and younger went up 62%
  • For those 65 and older
    • TBI-related ER visits, up 46%
    • TBI-related hospitalizations, up 37%
    • TBI-related deaths, up 27%
• The cost of TBI-related care is astounding
  • It’s estimated that the annual U.S. costs for TBI care is $56 billion!
  • There are more than 5 million Americans living with a TBI who require “permanent needs for assistance in daily functioning.”

Resources to promote Brain Injury Awareness

Want some resources to help promote brain injury awareness month?

• The Brain Injury Association of America has some great ones including downloadable flyers, poster and public service ads, all for free.
• Visit the CDC’s Heads Up! campaign. There is great info there for physicians, parents and youth that helps promote awareness and understand the signs and symptoms to look for.

Are you promoting Brain Injury Awareness? Visit our Facebook and Twitter pages, tell why you Support Brain Injury Awareness Month.