Facts about Traumatic Brain Injury
What causes a traumatic brain injury (TBI)?
Unintentional falls are one of the most common causes of TBI deaths, hospitalizations, and emergency department (ED) visits. Other causes of TBI include:
- Motor vehicle crashes.
- Assault.
- Self-harm.
- Work-related injuries.
- Sports-related injuries.
How common are TBIs?
Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Injury and Statistics Query and Reporting System show that an average of 66,659 TBI deaths occur every year in the U.S., equaling approximately 182 TBI-related deaths every day. You can review the reporting system on the CDC website.
In 2023, Wisconsin experienced:
- 1,487 TBI deaths*.
- 4,262 non-fatal hospitalizations due to TBI.
- 13,297 ED visits for TBI.
*Based on finalized death counts. May differ slightly than what is included in the Wisconsin Interactive Statistics on Health which relies on provisional death data.
Learn more about the overall burden of TBI in Wisconsin in the TBI Special Emphasis Report (PDF) on the Department of Health Services (DHS) website and find information on Childhood TBI in Wisconsin in the Childhood Traumatic Brain Injury in Wisconsin (2019–2023) Report, P-03719 (PDF), also found on the DHS website.
Who is at increased risk of traumatic brain injury?
Anyone can experience a TBI, but data suggest that some groups are at greater risk of dying from a TBI or experiencing long-term health problems after the injury. Examples of groups who are more likely to be affected by TBI, include:
- Racial and ethnic minorities.
- Service members and veterans.
- People who experience homelessness.
- People who are in correctional and detention facilities.
- Survivors of intimate partner violence.
- People living in rural areas.
Learn more about health disparities and TBI at the CDC website.
