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March is Brain Injury Awareness Month/
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This study analyzed 2005 data from the National
Center for Health Statistics’ National Vital
Statistics System and the Agency for Healthcare
Research and Quality’s Nationwide Inpatient Sample.
Key findings are:
Death rates for fall-related TBIs were
higher among men than women (26.9 per 100,000
and 17.8 per 100,000, respectively).
Rates for fall-related TBI hospitalizations
were similar among men and women (146.3 per
100,000 and 158.3 per 100,000, respectively).
Death and hospitalization rates for
fall-related TBIs generally increased
with age.
Additional findings:
TThe majority of men and women hospitalized
with a fall-related TBI spent two to six days in
the hospital (54.9 percent of men; 61.5 percent
of women).
The median total charges for these
hospitalizations were $19,191 for men and
$16,006 for women.
Arias also points out that as more baby boomers
reach retirement age, these types of injuries will
increase demands on the health care system unless
action is taken to prevent the injuries. “CDC has
developed tips and suggestions for older adults,
their caregivers, health care providers, and
communities to help prevent falls,”Arias said.
