Purpose 
The information in TBI Data Collection was compiled by the National Association of State Head Injury Administrators (NASHIA) and CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (Injury Center) to help states build population-based traumatic brain injury (TBI) registries by leveraging existing funds, data systems, resources, and activities within each state. 

Background
In 1996, Congress charged CDC, via the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Act, to help states collect data and information on TBI. Upon reauthorization of the TBI Act in 2000, as part of the Children’s Health Act, Congress additionally charged CDC to develop a National Program of TBI Registries.

In July 2002, CDC’s Injury Center sponsored an expert meeting entitled “The Future of CDC-Funded TBI Registries.” At that meeting, TBI experts recommended that CDC assist states in building on existing resources to develop statewide population-based TBI registries. 

CDC recognizes that states need TBI population-based data and that people with TBI need services, despite limited funding for a national registry program. TBI Data Collection summarizes existing state-based information that states can use to achieve their goals.

How TBI Data Collection Was Created 
Several approaches were used to gather and compile the information presented in TBI Data Collection.

The main source of information was a survey of state government brain injury policies conducted by NASHIA. This survey was also the basis for the NASHIA report Guide to State Government Brain Injury Policies, Funding, and Services. Survey results were confirmed where possible using information from other sources, including knowledgeable Injury Center program staff and the staff of CDC-funded programs within states. Information about selected states’ efforts to link people with TBI to services was collected by researchers at Colorado State University, who were exploring ways to improve linkage in their own state. Internet searches were used to learn additional details about some state TBI-specific registry programs.