Public Health Significance
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an injury to the brain, caused by a sudden or violent blow to the head or body. TBIs can be mild, moderate, or severe and have a major effect on how the brain works. Common causes of TBIs are falls, motor vehicle crashes, assaults, and firearm-related injuries. TBI-related injuries can lead to death or permanent disability. Some individuals with TBIs may need additional medical care and support with daily living activities.
National and State Data
National data from the CDC shows that:
- there were more than 223,000 TBI-related hospitalizations in 2019.
- around 176 deaths per day were caused by TBI-related injuries in 2020.
The CDC’s Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System in 2020 reports that:
- males in Maryland were 3.3 times more likely than females to lose their life due to TBI.
- most TBIs in Maryland were unintentional, followed by suicide and then homicide.
Data from the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission show that TBI is one of the leading causes for hospital admissions and emergency room visits for non-fatal injuries in Maryland. These data show that TBI caused at least 3,088 non-fatal hospital admissions and at least 10,419 non-fatal emergency room visits in 2020. TBIs in Maryland were most likely to be caused by a firearm or a fall, followed by a motor vehicle crash.
What is the Maryland Department of Health doing to address TBIs?
The Core State Injury Prevention Program (Core SIPP) at MDH works with groups focused on TBIs, including the following:
- The Maryland Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Board identifies the needs of people with TBIs and coordinates organizations and state agencies to improve services for people with TBI.
- The Brain Injury Association of Maryland (BIAMD) provides information, support, and resources to people with brain injuries, their families, caregivers, and healthcare workers. BIAMD offers advocacy, education, and research. They also share programs, support groups, and career, financial, and legal resources.
- Maryland’s Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) addresses TBIs through strategic plans, activities and services developed by BHA’s Office of Older Adults and Long-Term Services and Supports. The Core SIPP partners with BHA to provide training and activities to address falls and TBIs.
Annually, the Core SIPP hosts the Maryland Violence and Injury Prevention Forum to present data on TBI and other injury areas. The Forum brings public health professionals together to learn, network, and inspire action. To learn more about Maryland’s Core SIPP program, go to the
Core State Injury Prevention Program webpage.
Ways to Prevent TBIs
- Wear a seatbelt when driving or riding in a motor vehicle.
- Do not drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Wear protective headgear when bicycling, motorbiking, skating, playing contact sports like football.
- Reduce the risk of falling, which can result in TBIs, by:
- doing exercises to strengthen your balance.
- having your eyes checked at least once a year and updating eyeglasses.
- talking to your doctor or pharmacist about any medicines that make you feel dizzy.
- Ensuring walkways and living areas in and around the homeare clear and safe.
- making living and play areas safer for children by adding guards to windows, stairs, and doors and choosing playgrounds with soft material underneath such as mulch or sand.
Signs and Symptoms
Here is a list of common TBI symptoms from the
Mayo Clinic. These symptoms are provided for educational purposes only. If you are experiencing any of these signs and symptoms, please talk to a medical provider.
| Mild TBIs | Moderate and Severe TBIs |
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fatigue or drowsiness
- Difficulty sleeping
- Dizziness or loss of balance
- Problems with speech, concentration, and/or memory
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Loss of consciousness for a few seconds/minutes
- Feeling confused or disoriented
| - Loss of consciousness for a several minutes/hours, and coma
- Worsening or persistent headaches
- Non-stop nausea or vomiting
- Weaknesses/numbness in fingers and toes
- Feeling very confused or disoriented
- Serious problems with speech, concentration, and/or memory
- Convulsion and seizures
- Unusual behaviors like mood swings, combativeness, and agitation
|
For Individuals with TBIs
These tips from the
CDC may help individuals who were diagnosed with a TBI. These tips are educational and do not replace an official treatment plan from a medical provider.
- Talk with your healthcare provider about how and when to return to normal activities.
- Get plenty of sleep and avoid doing physically and mentally demanding activities and exercises with heavy lifting,
- Bring someone with you when exercising and doing activities.
- Ask someone you trust for help with daily living activities such as driving, paying bills, and doing household chores.
- Write things down to help with remembering and do one thing at a time.
- Avoid drinking alcohol, using the computer, and playing video games during the recovery period.
