A new study has found that some people in the U.S. are much more likely to die from traumatic brain injuries (TBI) than others.
These injuries are especially dangerous for older adults, men, and certain racial and ethnic groups. The research was published in the journal Brain Injury and looked at death data from 2021.
TBIs happen when a person suffers a strong hit or jolt to the head that affects brain function. This can happen during a car crash, a fall, an assault, or even by accident while playing sports. TBIs can also occur when someone tries to harm themselves.
These injuries are a leading cause of death from injuries in the United States. In 2020, about one in four injury deaths involved a TBI.
In this new analysis, researchers found that 69,473 people in the U.S. died from a TBI in 2021. That’s about 190 people every day. The overall rate of TBI-related deaths was 19.5 for every 100,000 people, which is nearly 9% higher than the previous year. The study used official death records from the National Vital Statistics System.
The researchers found that suicide was the most common cause of TBI-related death, followed by unintentional falls. People over the age of 75 were especially at risk, mostly due to falls. Men were three times more likely to die from a TBI than women.
In fact, the death rate for men was 30.5 compared to 9.4 for women. Some of this difference may be due to how injuries affect men and women differently as they age. For example, older men seem to have worse outcomes after a TBI than women the same age.
The study also found that people who are American Indian or Alaska Native had the highest rate of TBI-related deaths among all racial and ethnic groups. Their death rate was 31.5 per 100,000 people. The reasons for this are likely complex and could include things like differences in health care access, income, or living conditions.
The study also showed that among the 69,473 deaths in 2021, around 38,000 were from unintentional injuries like falls or car crashes. About 31,000 were from intentional injuries, which include suicides and homicides. Children under 18 made up 4% of all TBI deaths, with 2,977 cases.
The study’s lead author, Dr. Alexis Peterson from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said these findings show the importance of creating health care and prevention programs that focus on the groups most at risk.
Health care workers can play a big role by spotting people who may be at risk and helping them early. For example, if an older person has trouble walking or if someone shows signs of depression, doctors can take action before a TBI happens.
Experts believe that more work needs to be done to prevent falls and mental health crises. These are two of the main causes behind many TBI deaths. The study also pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic might have affected the data, but more research is needed to understand how.
Finally, the researchers warned that there might be some mistakes in how death causes were recorded on official certificates. Still, the results offer valuable information that can help save lives.
This study reminds us that TBIs are still a big public health problem in the U.S., and some people are in greater danger than others. Knowing who is at risk can help doctors, communities, and public health workers take better steps to prevent these injuries and reduce deaths.
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The study is published in Brain Injury.
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