Reducing Severe Traumatic Brain Injury in the U.S.

Traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is a serious public health problem that affects approximately 1.7 million Americans every year. Of all injury deaths in our country, one in three cases are TBI–related, and an estimated 5.3 million Americans are living with a TBI–related disability. Beyond the potential for impairment to the cognitive, sensory, and motor functions in an individual, the economic burden of TBI is in excess of $76.5 billion. While significant advances in early treatment and prevention policies such as seat belt and motorcycle helmet laws have proven successful in reducing severe cases of TBI, many public health challenges remain. In addition to the economic impact of TBI, there is need for better surveillance, data, and coordination among the medical, public health and community sectors on both the civilian and military sides of the aisle.

This session of CDC′s Public Health Grand Rounds further addressed these challenges and explored promising policies, guidelines, and interventions such as progesterone treatments to further reduce the severity and number of cases of traumatic brain injury in the U.S.

Presented By

Lisa C. McGuire, PhD
Acting Associate Director for Science, Division of Injury Response,
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, CDC
Presentation – The Public Health Response to Traumatic Brain Injury

David W. Wright, MD
Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine and Director
Emergency Neurosciences at Emory University School of Medicine
Presentation – Treatment of Severe TBI

Arthur Kellermann, MD, MPH
Vice President and Director of RAND Health, RAND Corporation
Presentation – Role of Public Policy in Reducing TBI and TBI-related Disability

Facilitated By

Tanja Popovic, M.D., Ph.D., Scientific Director, Public Health Grand Rounds
Shane Joiner, Communication Manager, Public Health Grand Rounds

Additional Resources

• TBI Statistics
• Leading Causes of TBI and Groups at Risk
• TBI Reports and Fact Sheets
• CDC’s Heads Up Campaign