Traumatic Brain Injury

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury and disrupts the normal function of the brain. Each year, TBIs contribute to a substantial number of deaths and cases of permanent disability. Those who survive a TBI can face effects lasting a few days to disabilities which may last the rest of their lives. Effects of TBI can include impaired thinking or memory, movement, sensation (e.g., vision or hearing), or emotional functioning (e.g., personality changes, depression).

Notable Facts

• During 2013, a TBI was sustained by 73,131 people in North Carolina
• Children ages zero to four have high rates of hospitalization (49.7 per 100,000) and even higher rates of ED visits (1,429.5 per 100,000)
• Falls were the leading cause of injury among those hospitalized with a TBI, as a single mechanism or in combination with other injuries or conditions
• The highest number of TBI-related deaths was among persons ages 65 and older (NC IVPB, 2015c)

Goal

• Increase identification of concussion injuries and improve post-concussion injury management in NC children and youth
• Decrease TBI-related death rate in children 0-18 years old
• Decrease the rate of motor vehicle crash-related TBIs
• Reduce TBIs in older adults: See Falls and Transportation Crashes
• Reduce transportation crash-related TBIs: See Transportation Crashes

Prevention Strategies

1. Improve safety in youth sports: Enhance the Gfeller-Waller Concussion Awareness Act, to provide education, post-concussion protocols, and clearance for return to play following concussion for student athletes. (a. Expand the types of schools (charter and private) and sports leagues covered under the Act. )
2. Shift cultural norms related to youth sports that increase risk of concussion and a culture of denial about symptoms by implementing the CDC HEADS UP initiative in middle and high schools

Indicators of Progress

• Number of school types and sports leagues covered by the Gfeller-Waller Concussion Awareness Act
• Provision of training and informational materials for the new schools and leagues covered under the expansion of the Act
• Number of school staff, coaches, parents, and student-athletes trained on HEADS UP initiative

Potential Implementing Agencies

• Athletic coaches and trainers
• Brain Injury Association of NC
• Colleges and universities
• Department of Public Instruction
• Division of Public Health, Injury and Violence Prevention Branch
• Emergency departments, trauma centers
• Hospital systems
• NC Division on Aging and Adult Services
• NC Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services, TBI Program
• NC High School Athletic Association
• Middle and High Schools
• UNC Injury Prevention Research Center
• UNC Matthew Gfeller Sport-Related TBI Research Center