A new study has found that traumatic brain injury (TBI) continues to be a major cause of death in the United States, with some groups facing much higher risks than others.
The research highlights the need for better prevention, improved healthcare, and support for people who are most vulnerable. The findings were published in the journal Brain Injury.
A traumatic brain injury happens when a blow, bump, or sudden jolt to the head disrupts normal brain function. TBIs can range from mild concussions to severe brain damage. They can happen after falls, car crashes, sports injuries, assaults, or self-harm.
In 2021, TBIs were linked to 69,473 deaths in the United States, or about 190 deaths every day. The age-adjusted death rate reached 19.5 deaths for every 100,000 people, an increase of nearly 9% compared with 2020.
The study was led by Dr. Alexis Peterson from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. The researchers analyzed national death records to understand how age, sex, race, ethnicity, and where people live affect the risk of dying from a traumatic brain injury.
One of the clearest findings was that older adults were at the greatest risk. People aged 75 years and older had the highest death rates, mainly because of falls. As people age, falls become more common, and injuries are often more serious because bones and blood vessels become more fragile.
The study also found that men were much more likely than women to die from a TBI. The death rate for men was 30.5 per 100,000 people, compared with 9.4 for women. Researchers believe this difference may be linked to the types of activities men take part in, the severity of injuries, and possible biological differences.
Large differences were also seen between racial and ethnic groups. Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native people had the highest TBI-related death rate at 31.5 per 100,000 people. The researchers said unequal access to healthcare, social conditions, and environmental risks may all contribute to these differences.
Suicide was the leading cause of TBI-related deaths, followed by unintentional injuries such as falls and motor vehicle crashes. Intentional injuries caused more than 30,000 deaths, while unintentional injuries caused more than 37,000 deaths. Nearly 3,000 children under the age of 18 also died from TBIs during the study year.
The researchers said these findings show that preventing TBIs requires different approaches for different groups. Fall prevention programs can help protect older adults, while better mental health care may reduce suicide-related brain injuries. Road safety, workplace safety, and community education are also important.
The study has some limitations because death certificates are not always completely accurate, and the COVID-19 pandemic may have affected injury patterns. Even so, the results provide an important picture of the ongoing public health burden caused by traumatic brain injuries.
Overall, the research shows that many TBI-related deaths could potentially be prevented through targeted public health programs, better access to healthcare, and early support for people at high risk.
Understanding who is most affected can help healthcare providers and policymakers develop more effective ways to save lives. The research was published in Brain Injury.
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