Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance

Brain Injury Statistics

Fast Facts About Brain Injury

The mission of the Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance is to raise awareness and enhance the quality of life for all people affected by brain injury.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI):  TBI is caused by a blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the normal function of the brain.  A rapid acceleration or deceleration of the head, which can force the brain to move back and forth inside the skull, can also cause TBI.  The stress from these rapid movements pull apart nerve fibers and cause damage to the brain tissue.

Acquired Brain Injury (ABI):  ABI is an injury to the brain that has occurred after birth and is not hereditary, congenital or degenerative.  ABI takes place at the cellular level within the brain; most symptoms of ABIs are very similar to those of TBIs.

General Information:

  • Prevention is the only cure for brain injury.
  • 5.3 million Americans live with disabilities from brain injury. Of this, 100,000 are Minnesotans.
  • In Minnesota, falls are a leading cause of brain injury.
  • Approximately one in four adults with TBI is unable to return to work one year after injury.
  • The cost of traumatic brain injury in the United States is estimated to be $56.3 billion annually.
  • Brain injury is a leading cause of death and disability among children and young adults.

Who is at highest risk for TBI?

  • Males are about 1.5 times as likely as females to sustain a TBI.
  • The two age groups at highest risk for TBI are 0-4 year olds and 15-19 year olds.
  • African Americans have the highest death rate from TBI.

Causes:

  • Automobile Crashes:
    • Brain and chest injuries are the most frequent cause of death in collisions without seatbelts.
    • Seat belts are 57 percent effective in preventing traumatic and fatal brain injuries.
  • Bicycle Crashes:
    • More children ages five to 14 go to the hospital emergency departments with injuries related to biking than with any other sport.
    • Each year, about 567,000 people go to hospital emergency departments with bicycle-related injuries; about 350,000 of those injured are children under 15. Of those children, about 130,000 sustain brain injuries.
    • In Minnesota, approximately 13 percent of TBI-related injuries are caused by bicycle crashes in children ages five to 14.
    • When worn properly, bike helmets can reduce the risk of brain injury by 88 percent.
    • The average bicycle injury in Minnesota costs $49,000, including hospitalization, loss of productivity, and pain and suffering.
    • According to a recent study, only 8 percent of Minnesotans wear a bicycle helmet consistently.
  • Shaken Baby Syndrome/inflicted Traumatic Brain Injury:
    • Shaken Baby Syndrome is caused by vigorous shaking of an infant or young child from the arms, legs, chest or shoulders.
    • One shaken baby in three dies as a result of this abuse.
    • Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in infants.
    • One third of the victims of SBS survive with minor consequences, one-third suffer permanent injury and one-third die.
  • Violence and Domestic Violence:
    • 60 percent of gun-related TBIs are a result of a suicide attempt and 37 percent are a result of an intentional assault.
    • Violent behavior is especially dangerous to the brain, because hits are often directed to the head.
    • Firearm and non-firearm assaults together make up for 17 percent of all TBIs.
    • Firearms are a leading cause of death from brain injury.
    • In Minnesota, African American males age 15-24 are seven times more likely to die from gunfire than any other group.
    • It is estimated that a woman is beaten every nine seconds in the Unites States, witht he head being a primary target in domestic attacks. The effects of this abuse can result in cumulative brain injuries.
  • Sports Concussions:
    • A concussion is a condition of temporarily altered mental status as a result of a head trauma.
    • Every year, an estimated 300,000 concussions occur in the United States.
  • Strokes/Aneurysms
    • An aneurysm is a cardiovascular disease that occurs when an artery is widened because of a weak artery wall.
    • An aneurysm typically ruptures near the brain, causing significant brain damage.

Unless otherwise specified, the information on this website is from research conducted by the Minnesota Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control.