Moderate and Severe TBI

A moderate or severe TBI is caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a penetrating injury (such as from a gunshot) to the head. In the United States, severe TBIs are linked to thousands of deaths each year.¹

For those who survive, a moderate or severe TBI may lead to long-term or life-long health problems that may affect all aspects of a person’s life. These health problems have been described as being similar to the effects of a chronic disease.²

Falls and firearm-related injuries lead to most moderate and severe TBIs

Research shows:

• Falls are one of the leading causes of TBI-related hospitalizations among Americans, especially among older adults (age 75 years and older)³
• Firearm-related suicide is linked to many TBI-related deaths in the United States^4,5
• Motor vehicle crashes and assaults are other common ways a person may get a moderate or severe TBI³

Moderate and severe TBIs are serious and costly

A person with a moderate or severe TBI may need ongoing care to help with their recovery. A moderate or severe TBI not only impacts the life of an individual and their family, but it also has a large societal and economic toll. The lifetime economic cost of TBI, including direct and indirect medical costs, was estimated to be approximately $76.5 billion (in 2010 dollars).⁶ Additionally, the cost of fatal TBIs and TBIs requiring hospitalization account for approximately 90% of total TBI medical costs.⁶

Five-year outcomes of persons with (Traumatic Brain Injury) TBI: 22% died, 30% became worse, 22% stayed same, and 26% improved. Data are US population estimates based on the TBIMS National Database. *Data refer to people 16 years of age and older who received inpatient rehabilitation services for a primary diagnosis of TBI.