A recent analysis of U.S. mortality data has revealed the stark disparities in traumatic brain injury (TBI)-related deaths across different population groups.
The study, published in Brain Injury, examined data from 2021 and found that certain demographics—such as older adults, men, and specific racial and ethnic groups—are disproportionately affected by TBI-related fatalities.
These findings emphasize the need for tailored prevention strategies and improved healthcare interventions to reduce TBI-related deaths.
Traumatic brain injuries occur when a bump, blow, or jolt to the head disrupts normal brain function.
TBIs can result from unintentional incidents like falls and motor vehicle crashes, intentional harm such as suicide or assault, or other causes.
In 2021, TBIs were linked to 69,473 deaths in the U.S., averaging 190 deaths per day. This marked an 8.8% increase in the age-adjusted TBI-related mortality rate from 2020, reaching 19.5 deaths per 100,000 people.
The study, led by Dr. Alexis Peterson of the CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, analyzed data from the National Vital Statistics System to understand how various factors—including age, sex, race, ethnicity, and geographic location—interact to influence TBI-related mortality.
The findings reveal several key trends:
- Older Adults at Highest Risk: Individuals aged 75 and older had the highest TBI-related death rates, with unintentional falls being the leading cause in this group. Falls pose a particular danger to older adults, whose injuries often lead to severe outcomes or fatalities.
- Men at Greater Risk: Men were found to have more than three times the TBI-related death rate of women (30.5 versus 9.4). This discrepancy could stem from differences in injury severity, activity types, or biological factors. The outcomes for men worsen with age, whereas postmenopausal women fare better.
- Racial and Ethnic Disparities: Non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native individuals had the highest TBI-related death rate at 31.5 per 100,000 people, significantly surpassing other racial and ethnic groups. These disparities may reflect inequities in healthcare access, environmental risks, and socioeconomic factors.
- Suicides Leading Cause: Suicides accounted for the majority of TBI-related deaths, followed by unintentional injuries such as motor vehicle crashes and falls. Intentional injuries caused 30,801 deaths, while unintentional injuries caused 37,635. Children under 18 accounted for about 4% of the deaths (2,977 cases).
The researchers emphasized that TBI remains a leading cause of injury-related death in the U.S., with about a quarter of all injury-related deaths in 2020 involving TBI. The findings underscore the importance of addressing underlying causes such as mental health challenges and fall prevention to mitigate the risk of TBI-related fatalities.
Healthcare providers play a crucial role in preventing TBI-related deaths. By identifying individuals at higher risk, such as older adults prone to falls or people struggling with mental health issues, timely interventions can be made.
Dr. Peterson highlighted the importance of culturally tailored care, particularly for groups disproportionately affected by TBI, to reduce disparities and improve outcomes.
The study also noted limitations, such as the potential for inaccuracies in death certificate data and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on TBI-related death trends. Despite these challenges, the findings provide valuable insights into the persistent public health challenge posed by TBIs.
To reduce TBI-related deaths, public health initiatives should focus on prevention strategies, such as fall risk assessments for older adults, mental health support to address suicide risk, and educational campaigns in high-risk communities.
Additionally, the development and dissemination of CDC resources can help healthcare providers better manage TBI risks and improve care for affected individuals.
Ultimately, the study highlights the urgent need to address TBIs through a combination of prevention, targeted healthcare interventions, and policy measures.
By focusing on vulnerable populations and tackling root causes, the burden of TBI-related deaths can be significantly reduced, saving lives and improving public health outcomes.
If you care about brain health ,please read studies about Vitamin B9 deficiency linked to higher dementia risk, and cranberries could help boost memory.
For more health information, please see recent studies about heartburn drugs that could increase risk of dementia, and results showing this MIND diet may protect your cognitive function, prevent dementia.
The research findings can be found in Brain Injury.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
