State and National Statistics on TBI
National Statistics
The CDC reports that at least 5.3 million Americans currently have long-term or lifelong need for help to perform activities of daily living as a result of a TBI., They estimate that on average, approximately 1.4 million people sustain a TBI each year in the United States.
Of those:
- 50,000 die;
- 235,000 are hospitalized; and
- 1.1 million are treated and released from an emergency department.
Among children ages 0 to 14 years, TBI results in an estimated:
- 2,685 deaths;
- 37,000 hospitalizations; and
- 435,000 emergency department visits.
The number of people with TBI who are not seen in an emergency department or who receive no care is unknown.
Washington State
Washington’s TBI death rates are higher than the nation’s as a whole. This trend appears to be continuing. However, TBI death rates in Washington and nationwide have decreased since 1990. TBI hospitalization rates have increased steadily in Washington since 2000.
The decrease in TBI deaths reflects our state’s progress in reducing the incidence and severity of motor vehicle crashes. Motor vehicle crashes are one of the leading contributors to brain injury.*
- In 2006, 1,300 people in Washington died as the result of a TBI and over 4,000 people were hospitalized due to a TBI.
- From 2003-2005, males accounted for 74% of all TBI deaths in Washington. At highest risk are males 15-24 years old and 65 or older.
- Males are also at higher risk for hospitalization from TBI at all ages. At highest risk are males less than one year old, 15-24 years old, and 65 or older.
*Data are from Washington State Department of Health CHARS and Washington State Department of Health Death Records