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Heads Up on Head Health

A brain injury is any illness or trauma that disturbs the structure or functioning of the brain. Brain Injuries can be mild, like those from a concussion or they can range to the severe and life-changing consequences of traumatic injuries like motor vehicle accidents or non-traumatic causes like drowning, infections, tumors and strokes.

Brain injury by the numbers
  • 1.4 million people in the United States will have a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) this year
  • TBI in children 14 and under will result in 400,000 emergency room visits, 29,000 hospitalizations, and 3000 deaths this year in the US
  • 3.8 million sports- and recreation-related concussions will occur this year in the US

Of all injuries, TBI is the leading cause of death and disabilty in children and young adults in this country. This March, St. Mary’s is teaming up with schools, coaches, parents, and healthcare colleagues to help educate children and families on the causes, treatment and prevention of brain injuries.


Sources: CDC, Brain Injury Association of America, Brain Injury Association of New York State, KeepYourHeadintheGame.org.