Although not always visible, TBI may cause enduring physical, emotional, intellectual and social changes for the survivor. Statistics vary due to different data sources and nomenclatures. Over 1.5 million Americans suffer nonfatal traumatic brain injuries each year which do not require hospitalization. TBI affects males at twice the rate of females. Although the largest group of TBI survivors are young adults in their prime working years, many survivors, particularly those with a severe TBI, do not return to work.
Most injuries are mild.
The majority of individuals who survive a period of coma eventually regain consciousness. Co-Occurring Disabilities in a National Household Survey of Adults. Success and Failure. Cost of Medical Care for a Population-Based Sample of Persons Surviving Traumatic Brain Injury . After Rehabilitation for Severe Traumatic Brain Injury.