Who Can Sustain TBI?
Anyone can sustain a TBI. However, of the 320,000 to 600,000 people who receive a TBI each year, over 60% of these are males under the age of TBI, the majority falling between the ages of 19 and 25 at the time of injury. The average age of a TBI survivor at time of injury is believed to be 22, with males outnumbering females by four to one. However, there are a significant number of persons who sustain a TBI in childhood and adolescence. TBI is the leading killer and cause of disability in children and young adults. Elderly persons also can receive a TBI; most of these are due to falls or elder abuse. Aside for high-crime urban areas where assaults predominate, about one half (48%) of TBI’s are caused by motor vehicle accidents. Other major causes of TBI include falls (2 1 %), non-firearm assaults (12%), sports/recreational activities (10%), and firearms (6%). In addition, substance abuse appears to be major contributing factor in over 50% of head injuries sustained in the United State
