Understanding Health 

Disparities in Traumatic 

Brain Injury (TBI) & Concussion

Health Disparities Include 

Having a Higher Chance of Sustaining a TBI 

Older Adults

People aged 75 years and older have the highest 

numbers and rates of TBI-related hospitalizations and 

deaths. Most TBI-related hospitalizations in older adults 

are due to falls.

ADULTS AGED 75 YEARS AND OLDER ACCOUNT 

FOR ABOUT

32% 28%

of all TBI-related 

hospitalizations

of all TBI-related 

deaths

Military Service Members & Veterans

450,000+

U.S. service members

were diagnosed 

with a TBI from 

2000 to 2021.

The military conflicts from 2005 to 2018 increased 

the number of service members and Veterans living 

with TBI, but approximately 80% of TBIs among 

military service members occur in non-deployed 

settings.

Males

The rate of TBI-related hospitalizations in males is

2 times

as high as in females

The rate of TBI-related deaths in males is

3 times

as high as in females

People in Correctional or 

Detention Facilities

Research in the United States and from 

other countries suggests that

ALMOST

HALF

of people in correctional or detention 

facilities such as prisons and jails have 

a history of TBI

Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence

Survivors of intimate partner violence who have a TBI 

due to an assault are more likely to experience

PTSD Insomnia Depression Worse overall 

health

People who Experience Homelessness

Compared to the general population, people who 

experience homelessness are

2 to 4 times

more likely to have a history of any type of TBI

10 times

more likely to have a history of a moderate 

or severe TBI

Tribal Populations

American Indian/Alaska Native children and adults 

have higher rates of TBI-related hospitalizations and 

deaths than other racial or ethnic groups. Factors that 

may contribute to this disparity include difficulties 

accessing appropriate healthcare as well as higher 

rates of

Motor vehicle Substance Suicide

crashes use

Health Disparities Include 

Less Access to TBI Care and 

Poorer Health Outcomes

Racial & Ethnic 

Minority Groups

Non-Hispanic Black and 

Hispanic patients are less 

likely to receive follow-up

care and rehabilitation 

following a TBI compared to 

non-Hispanic White patients. 

Racial and ethnic minorities 

are also more likely to have 

poor psychosocial, functional, 

and employment-related 

outcomes after sustaining 

a TBI than non-Hispanic 

White individuals.

People with Lower 

Incomes or Who Are 

Uninsured 

Compared with patients who 

have private health insurance, 

those who are uninsured 

are less likely to receive a 

TBI procedure and inpatient 

services and more likely to die 

in the hospital following a TBI.

People in Rural Areas

People living in rural areas 

have a greater risk of dying 

from a TBI compared to 

people living in urban areas. 

Some potential reasons for 

this disparity include: more 

time needed to travel to 

emergency medical care, less 

access to a Level I trauma 

center (the highest level of 

medical care), and difficulty 

getting services, such as 

specialized TBI care.

CDC is Actively Working to Reduce Health 

Disparities that Increase the Risk for TBI

CDC has research underway to better understand and inform the 

development of programs to reduce health disparities that 

increase the risk for TBI and other injuries.

CDC Supports TBI Prevention by:

Developing a National Concussion 

Surveillance System for nationally 

representative estimates of TBI in 

children and adults.

Conducting initiatives in 

education, training, and research 

to support concussion safety and 

prevention.

Creating research-based tools 

designed to better identify 

survivors of intimate partner 

violence and individuals 

at risk for suicide.

Releasing clinical 

guidelines for healthcare 

providers that can improve 

TBI care for all Americans.

Using virtual TBI training 

programs to educate and provide 

support to healthcare providers 

and school professionals in rural 

areas.

Developing the 

Roadway to Safer Tribal 

Communities Toolkit.

What You Can do to Prevent TBI

Drive Safely and Responsibly

• Wear a seat belt every time you drive or 

ride in a motor vehicle.

• Always buckle children in age- and sizeappropriate car seats, booster seats, and seat 

belts.

• Never drive while under the influence of 

alcohol or drugs.

Make Living And Play Areas 

Safer For Children

• Install window guards to keep young children 

from falling out of open windows.

• Use safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs 

when young children are around.

• Make sure your child’s playground has soft 

material under it, such as mulch or sand.

Wear a helment

or appropriate headgear

When you or your children:

• Ride a bike, motorcycle, snowmobile, scooter, 

 or use an all-terrain vehicle.

• Play a contact sport, such as

Football Ice hockey Boxing

• Use in-line skates or ride a skateboard.

• Bat and run bases in baseball or softball.

• Ride a horse.

• Ski or snowboard.

Prevent Older Adult Falls

• Talk to your doctor to evaluate your risk for 

falling, and talk with them about specific things 

you can do to reduce your risk for a fall.

• Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review your 

medicines to see if any might make you dizzy 

or sleepy. This should include prescription 

medicines, over-the counter medicines, herbal 

supplements, and vitamins.

• Have your eyes checked at least once a year, 

and be sure to update your eyeglasses if 

needed.

• Do strength and balance exercises to make 

your legs stronger and improve your balance.

There are many people who can help you 

and your family as you recover from a TBI.

You do not have to do it alone.

The Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) and the U.S. Brain Injury Alliance have many state and local 

chapters and support groups across the country that provide help in your community. You can reach them at

biausa.org usbia.org

AND

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention • National Center for Injury Prevention and Control

cdc.gov/TraumaticBrainInjury