An estimated 17,000 traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) occur in Iowa annually, according to the Iowa Department of Public Health. Of those, about 88 percent result in emergency department visits, 9 percent result in hospitalizations, and 3 percent result in death. A traumatic brain injury is an insult to the brain caused by an external force, which may impair cognitive, physical, behavioral, and emotional functions. (Source: 2016 IDPH Annual Brief on TBI)

For many, brain injury rehabilitation is a long process that is measured in years rather than months. Many persons with severe brain injuries face a wide range of lifelong problems. These problems, in turn, can dramatically affect an individual’s ability to live independently, care for a family, and work.

The true extent of brain injury cannot be conveyed by numbers alone. Lives, hopes, dreams, families, and friendships are often altered in the wake of a brain injury. Research, rehabilitation, public awareness, and advocacy can help prevent brain injury, reducing the occurrence of brain injuries and minimizing their negative impact on our society.

Resources

• Iowa Department of Public Health Falls Prevention
• Iowa Department of Public Health Traumatic Brain Injury Prevention
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Traumatic Brain Injury Prevention
• Safe Kids Worldwide
• University of Iowa Stead Children’s Hospital ATV Safety