Summary: A 2021 analysis of U. S. mortality data highlights disparities in traumatic brain injury ( TBI ) -related deaths, which disproportionately affect older adults, men, and certain racial and ethnic groups. The top cause of death is still unintentional falls, followed by unintentional falls, with older adults ( 75+ ) and American Indian/Alaska Native people having the highest mortality rates.
With time, the result of men were more than three times as likely to pass away from a TBI as did women, with the odds getting worse. To address the root causes and close these gaps, public health initiatives and targeted protection initiatives are necessary. The findings highlight how crucial early intervention and culturally appropriate maintenance are in reducing TBI-related incidents.
Important Facts:
- Age and Risk: People aged 75+ had the highest TBI-related deaths levels, with unexpected falls being a major reason.
- Disparities by Race/Ethnicity: Non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native individuals had the highest TBI-related death rate ( 31.5 per 100, 000 ).
- Gender Gap: Men faced more than triple the risk of TBI-related death compared to women ( 30.5 vs. 9.4 per 100, 000 ).
Origin: Taylor &, Francis Group
A recent analysis of U.S. mortality data reveals how traumatic brain injuries ( TBI ) affect older adults, men, and some racial and ethnic groups disproportionately.
The review, published in the peer-reviewed journal , Brain Injury, provides a thorough examination of TBI-related murders across various community groups across the U. S. in 2021.
The studies show that suicides continue to be the most prevalent cause of TBI-related deaths, followed by unexpected falls, and that particular groups are disproportionately impacted by these tragedies.
Men, in particular, were found to be most likely to die from a TBI – more than three times the rate of women ( 30.5 versus 9.4). The causes of the studied differences were multifactorial and could include differences in injury severity following a fall or a collision in a car, to the relationship between sex and age, wherein menopausal women perform better than men of comparable age in terms of injury outcomes.
Anyone who has a TBI has a higher probability than anyone else of dying from one, according to the statement.
We identified particular groups with the greatest impact. Older people are particularly vulnerable, with unexpected goes being a major cause of TBI-related dying, in addition to males. According to lead artist Alexis Peterson, PhD., of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Indian or Alaska Native individuals also have higher levels of these fatal accidents.  ,
These findings highlight the value of targeted protection plans for groups at higher risk and the potential contribution of early detection and culturally sensitive attention to reducing TBI-related fatalities.
TBI remains a leading cause of injury-related suicide in the U. S. In 2020, TBIs were associated with around a third of all injury-related deaths. These injuries may result from a knock, blow, or shock to the brain that affects normal brain work, whether unexpected ( such as motor vehicle accidents or accidental falls ), self-inflicted hurt, or related to an assault.
Using data from the National Vital Statistics System, the novel study identified 69, 473 TBI-related fatalities among U. S. people during 2021 — an average of 190 deaths per day. The age-adjusted TBI-related mortality rate was 19.5 per 100, 000, representing an 8.8 % increase from 2020.
Through analytical simulation, the researchers examined the continuous effect of many factors such as geographical location, sex, race and ethnicity, and age, on TBI-related mortality.
Key results include:
- The highest rates of TBI-related deaths were found in older adults ( 75+ ), with unintentional falls being the most prevalent cause in this age group.
- In comparison to other racial and ethnic groups, non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native individuals had the highest TBI-related death rate ( 31.5 % ).
- There were 37, 635 TBI-related deaths categorized as unintentional injuries ( i. e., motor vehicle crashes, unintentional falls, unintentionally struck by or against an object, other ).
- 30, 801 were categorized as willful injury ( i. e., all methods of suicide and killing ).
- Children aged from birth to 17 years accounted for around 4 % of TBI-related deaths (2, 977 ).
The authors emphasize the crucial role that medical professionals play in preventing TBI-related incidents, especially among those who work with people at higher risk.
Healthcare providers you produce fast recommendations and suggest culturally appropriate interventions to avoid further injury or death by assessing people who may be at higher risk for TBI, particularly because of fall or mental health problems, says Dr. Peterson.
To help prevent further loss of life, public health efforts should concentrate on addressing the underlying causes of TBI-related deaths, such as unintentional falls and mental health crises.
” TBIs remain a significant public health concern, especially among older adults, men, and certain racial and ethnic groups,” says Peterson.  ,
“CDC has proven resources that healthcare providers can use to not only reduce health disparities that increase the risk of TBI but also improve care for anyone who is affected by a TBI,” said the director.
The authors point out that the COVID-19 pandemic might have had an impact on TBI-related death trends in 2021. They also acknowledge that this analysis has some drawbacks, including potential errors in classification or incomplete causes on death certificates, which could infer inaccurate estimates of TBI-related deaths.
About this news from neurology and TBI research
Author: Natasha Chen
Source: Taylor & Francis Group
Contact: Natasha Chen – Taylor & Francis Group
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News
Original Research: Open access.
” Disparities in traumatic brain injury-related deaths—the United States, 2021” by Alexis Peterson et al. Brain Injury
Abstract
Disparities in traumatic brain injury-related deaths—the United States, 2021
Objectives: This manuscript describes traumatic brain injury ( TBI ) -related mortality in the United States during 2021, by geography, sociodemographic characteristics, mechanism of injury, and injury intent.
Method: Multivariable modeling of TBI mortality was performed to assess the simultaneous effect of multiple factors ( geographic region, sex, race and ethnicity, and age ) included in the model. Authors analyzed multiple-cause-of-death data from the National Vital Statistics System and included records when an International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision ( ICD-10 ) underlying cause of death injury code, and a TBI-related ICD-10 diagnosis code were both listed.
Results: During 2021, there were 69, 473 TBI-related deaths. Rates were highest among older adults, males, and non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native persons. Unintentional falls and suicides were the cause of the majority of all TBI-related deaths.
Model-based rates of TBI mortality showed a divergent pattern when rates increased by age groups, while rate ratios decreased by age in a specific racial/ethnic group when compared to non-Hispanic White people.
Conclusion: Findings show that unintentional falls and suicides continue to be a significant cause of fatal TBI, and specific groups are still disproportionately impacted by these accidents. Healthcare providers can assist in this by assessing patients who are at higher risk for TBI, providing referrals for care, and recommending culturally appropriate interventions when necessary.
