BY

Prisco NkembengArka Sen

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Background Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is damage to the

brain as the result of an injury.The injury usually results from a violent blow

or jolt to the head causing the brain to collide with the inside of the skull.

A penetrating object into the skull, such as a bullet or a sharp piece object can also cause TBI.

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Background con’tTraumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is the leading

cause of death and disability among persons in the United States.

TBI can range from mild to severe depending on the degree of severity.

From mild change in mental state or consciousness to severe with an extended period of unconsciousness.

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Background con’t1.7 million people sustain a TBI annually,

52, 000 die275,000 are hospitalized1.365 million are treated and released from the

hospital.30.5% of all injury-related deaths in the

United States is due to TBI.

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Symptoms Mild TBI

Loss of consciousness from a few seconds to minutes

Memory problemsHeadacheDizzinessMood changesFatigueDifficulty sleeping

Moderate to severe TBILoss of consciousness

from a few minutes to hours

Profound confusionAgitationSlurred speechLoss of coordinationConvulsionWeakness

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Causes Falls

Vehicle-related collisions

Violence

Sport injuries

Explosive blasts and other combat injuries

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Significance Leading cause of death and disabilityHigh economic burden of TBI in the U.S.

(about 37.8 billion in 1985)High emotional cost (premature death from

TBI) can not be quantified.TBI is an important Public Health problem in

the United States that needs an immediate fix.

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Source of InformationCollege football player who committed suicide

had brain injury, By Madison Park. CNN. September 14, 2010

BU team makes brain discovery. Metro Boston, September 20, 2010

Kids' brain injuries from basketball may be rising, MSNBC. September 09, 2010

Traumatic brain injury. CNN. September 16. 2010Traumatic brain injury. (Mayo Clinic).

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/traumatic-brain-injury

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Other professions affected by TBIMedical DoctorsNursesSchool officialsScientific ResearchersPublic Health AdministratorsLocal lawmakers

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Implications to health education, health promotion and program planningPrimary preventionAcute care and rehabilitationProper documentation and data collection

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Primary preventionHealth education is keyTBI from transportation crashes :

Increase seat belt /helmet useIncrease child safety seat useEquip cars with air bagsDecrease driving under the influence of drugs

TBI from Violence:Laws regulation fire armsPrograms to decrease self-directed or

interpersonal violence

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Primary PreventionTBI from falls:

Modify the environmentReduce the use of medications with side effects

the increase fall riskTBI from sport injury:

Helmets

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Acute care and Rehabilitation TBI may alter a person’s career or vocational

aspirations with profound effects on social and family relationships.Impairment of cognitive functionEmotional instbility

We need to treat people who sustained TBI with Acute Care and Rehabilitation because the condition has such a profound affect on their lives.

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Proper documentation and data collection Better information on the occurrence of TBIs

and its surrounding circumstances help in the required to properly target prevention.

Health practitioners and policy makers need that data to ensure that services are available to the public.

Society is more likely to take action against the ravages of traumatic brain injury if it understands how pernicious, pervasive, and huge the problem is.

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Challenges There is a difference in case definition of TBI

thereby including some negative cases, and excluding some positive cases.

There are limited data sources which makes research and decision making (policy) difficult.

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References Thurman, D., Alverson, C., Dunn, K.,

Guerrero, J., Sniezek, J., (1999). Traumatic brain injury in the United States: A public health perspective. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation 14(6), p602-615

Barber, J., Research, prevention and quality assurance in traumatic brain injury: A public hospital perspective. Journal of the National Medical Association, 87(1), p15-16

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References con’tTraumatic Brain Injury in the United States:

Emergency Department Visits, Hospitalizations and Deaths. Atlanta (GA):Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control; 2004.

Center for disease control and prevention (CDC). www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury

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QuestionsHow important is policy development in

addressing the prevalence of TBI?What measures can high school football

coaches take in preventing TBI?Do you think addressing TBI requires “up-

stream” interventions or “down-stream” interventions?

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