Traumatic Brain Injury

Prevention is the Only Cure

Each year, traumatic brain injuries (TBI) result in the death of over 2,000 New York State residents and the hospitalization of 14,000 New Yorkers. Along with thousands of deaths and hospitalizations each year, an estimated 75% of all TBI cases are treated and released from emergency departments. Following injury prevention guidelines can prevent many of the deaths and disabilities caused by traumatic brain injury.

TBI is an injury to the brain or skull caused by an external force such as a strike or impact. Unlike other injuries such as broken legs or cut fingers that can heal, brain injuries are often permanent and disabling.

The risk of sustaining a TBI is greatest for young children, young adults and the elderly. Males are twice as likely to suffer a TBI as females. The leading causes of TBI continue to be falls, motor vehicle crashes, and assaults. The violent shaking of an infant or toddler and is a leading cause of serious brain injury in young children.

Percent of Injury Hospitalizations and Deaths with a TBI in NYS

Tips to Prevent TBI

  • Wear your seatbelt.
    • Children under the age of 13 should ride in the back seat.
  • Buckle your child into an age-appropriate child safety seat. Children 4 to 8 years of age should ride in a booster seat with a lap and shoulder belt.
  • Wear your helmet and make sure your children wear helmets when:
    • Bicycling
    • Skating
    • Skateboarding
    • In-line Skating
    • Riding a scooter
    • Sledding
    • Skiing
    • Playing football or hockey
    • Horseback riding

    Did you know that wearing a helmet when bicycling reduces the risk of brain injury by 88%?

  • Keep firearms and bullets stored in a locked cabinet or safe when not in use.

The Bureau of Injury Prevention maintains several TBI prevention programs, including helmet safety programs for bicycle, in-line skating and non-motorized scooter use, pedestrian safety, child and adult passenger safety programs. In addition, the bureau distributes educational material on preventing shaken baby syndrome injuries.

For Further Information: