| Every 23 seconds a person in the United States | | | | - Slip and fall injuries |
| suffers a brain injury. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a | | | | - Domestic abuse |
| serious occurrence that has devastating physical, | | | | - Shaken baby syndrome |
| emotional, and financial effects on victims and their | | | | - Birth injuries |
| families. According to the Centers for Disease Control, | | | | - Sports injuries |
| more than 5.3 million people in the United States require | | | | Impact |
| long-term care as a result of brain injuries. An | | | | Traumatic brain injuries can severely impact a person's |
| estimated 44,000 Utah residents are living with a | | | | ability to lead an active and fulfilling life. Many patients |
| disability related to a TBI and every day seven people | | | | with TBI have difficult performing normal everyday |
| are hospitalized or die from brain injuries in Utah. | | | | activities due to impairment of cognitive and physical |
| What is TBI? | | | | functioning. Victims may experience difficulty with a |
| Traumatic brain injuries are caused by trauma to the | | | | number of daily functions, including- |
| head inflicted by external forces that damage one or | | | | - Memory and concentration |
| more parts of the brain and disrupt normal functioning. | | | | - Learning |
| The severity of TBI can range from mild (a brief loss | | | | - Judgment |
| of consciousness) to severe (a crushing blow that | | | | - Emotional regulation (impulsivity, instability, changing |
| results in an extended period of unconsciousness and | | | | moods) |
| effects daily functioning or may result in death). | | | | - Movement and physical abilities (coordination, balance, |
| Causes | | | | strength) |
| The leading causes of TBI in Utah are falls (33.3 | | | | - Holding down a job (75 percent of people with TBI |
| percent), motor vehicle accidents (22.9 percent), and | | | | who return to work lose their job within 90 days |
| ATV, sports and recreation accidents (10.5 percent). | | | | without adequate support) |
| However, traumatic brain injuries have a wide range of | | | | - Living independently |
| causes including the following: | | | | - Sustaining relationships (80 percent of TBI victims end |
| - Self-harm | | | | up in divorce) |
| - Motorcycle crashes | | | | Traumatic brain injuries also have a tremendous |
| - Violent assaults | | | | financial impact on victims and their families. In addition |
| - Firearms | | | | to the piles of medical and hospital bills, there are |
| - Pedestrian accidents | | | | rehabilitation costs, and lost income from the victim's |
| - Bicycle accidents | | | | diminished earning capacity. |