Introduction

A traumatic brain injury is an alteration
in brain function, or other evidence
of brain pathology, caused by
an external force.

Magnitude of problem:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate
that 1.7 million people in the U.S. sustain traumatic brain
injuries (TBIs) annually and at least 3.17 million children and
adults live with a permanent disability as a result of a TBI.

Motor vehicle crashes are the second leading cause of TBI after falls:
-815 deaths/year from TBI (MDH 2008)
-7500 ED visits for TBI/year (MDH 2008)

Recent trends:
Brain injuries due to car crashes have declined an impressive 25% between 1984 and 1992.(Sosin, D.M., Sniezek, J.E., Waxweiler, R.J. , 1992)