MMWR: Rates of Hospitilization Related to TBI

In the current issue of the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report(MMWR), it reports on a study of Hospitilization rates due to Traumatic Brain Injury(TMI) spanning 9 states in 2003. The study finds that on average, TBI's are associated with an estimated 1.1 million emergency department visits, 235,000 hospitilizations, and 50,000 deaths per year.

The study finds that for all age groups, males have the highest rate of TBI hospital visits (115.1 per 1000,000) and in terms of age, persons aged >75 have the highest rates of TBI hospital visits (287.3 per 100,000). The 2 major causes of TBI-related hospitalizations were associated with unintentional Motor-Vehicle Traffic Incidents (MV-T) and unintentional falls.

The study urges an increased public awareness of TBI and the implementation of prevention measures that focus on the leading causes of TBI (falls, MV-T incidents, and assaults) to reduce the burden of TBI in the US.

To read the MMWR Report, click here.