Conservative estimates claim over two million individuals suffer a traumatic brain injury each year. About 500,000 to 750,000 head injuries each year are severe enough to require hospitalization between 75,000-100,000 result in death. Males are twice as likely as females to suffer head injuries. Most survivors are between 15 to 24 years of age. Falls are the second leading cause, followed by assaults and firearms.
Alcohol plays a significant role in head injury accidents.
The costs of head injury are staggering. The death rate for head injuries is about 30 per 100,000. Prevention Researchers estimate that one-fourth of all head injuries could be prevented if all cars were equipped with airbags. The Incidence of Acute Brain Injury and Serious Impairment in a Defined Population. Lyle, D.M., Pierce, J.P., Freeman, E.A., et al.