The Invisible Injury
Why America Needs a Brain Injury Identification Card
Every 21 Seconds, one person in the USA sustains a brain injury.
And for millions of Americans, the injury will affect them for the rest of their lives.
Let’s take a closer look at traumatic brain injury in the USA.
Brain Injuries In The USA: The Facts
2.8 Million
Children and adults in the United States will sustain a traumatic brain injury each year.
80-90K
Americans experience the onset of long term disability caused by a TBI each year.
5.3 Million
Americans currently live with a disability resulting from a brain injury.
The 3 Leading Causes Of TBI In The USA
#1 Fall
#2 Struck By Object
#3 Auto Accident
Why Is TBI Known As 'The Invisible Injury'?
TBI is sometimes referred to as ‘the invisible injury’.
That’s because injuries (and symptoms) will not always be obvious to an observer.
This can cause problems for brain injury survivors, who may not always be able to accurately explain their condition.
A Common Problem: Challenging Encounters
Brain injuries can cause side effects such as confusion, slurred speech, or an unsteady gait.
Individuals may be mistakenly identified as drunk or aggressive by police officers, leading to challenging encounters.
Simple Solution: Brain Injury Identification Card
front of card
back of card
References:
Fact Checked by:
Wilfred G. Van Gorp, Ph. D., on June 5, 2019 — Written by Shana De Caro & Michael V. Kaplen.
How You Can Help
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