Prevention

The annual incidence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is five times the combined annual incidence of multiple sclerosis, breast cancer and HIV/AIDS. Despite this startling statistic, brain injury is largely an invisible health epidemic. The only known cure for brain injury is prevention.

There are many simple things you can do, and encourage those around you to do, on a daily basis to prevent brain injury:

• Always make sure everyone in the car is buckled up
• Never shaking a child or infant
• Always wearing a protective helmet during recreational sports
• Don't drink and drive
• Seek medical attention if you're dazed or have briefly lost consciousness during a sports activity

For more information on falls and prevention, contact the Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance at 612-378-2742 or 800-669-6442.