Preventing nonfatal head injuries and nonfatal spinal cord injuries is paramount in today's society. The leading causes of unintentional deaths and disabilities in individuals under forty-five years of age are traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. Traumatic brain injuries and traumatic spinal cord injuries have occurred in 5.3 million Americans, resulting in 80,000 individuals disabled annually. Risks are higher among young adolescents, young adults, and people older than 75 and males have a ratio of two to one more incidences than females. Leading causes are motor vehicle crashes, violence, falls, and recreational activities. Emergency room visits totaled 33 million per year with most common causes related to traffic accidents, falls, and violence and, recently, approximately 25% were categorized alcohol related injuries. Trauma centers are available to approximately one fourth of U.S. population. The lack of facilities for the remainder have resulted in mortality rates of 35% Costs for brain injuries and spinal cord injuries have exceeded $31.2 billion annually and continue to rise. Accesses to rehabilitation services are limited and availability varies throughout the country. Therefore it is critical the motto, "Prevention is the only cure!" be implemented as a key component of all programs designed and implemented that address this growing public health menace.
Learning Objectives: 1. Recognize leading causes of nonfatal head injuries and nonfatal spinal cord injuries through a web of causation using primary, secondary, and tertiary measures. 2. Understand the high cost related to and ways to prevent the injuries. 3. Articulate ways to educate high risk individuals.
Keywords: Injury Prevention, Traumatic Brain Injury
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.