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Secondary Indicators

Emergency Department Visits for Traumatic Brain Injury

Current Value

1,022.60

2017

Definition

Line Bar Comparison

Story Behind the Curve

Traumatic brain injuries occur when an individual is struck on the head or strikes their head against an object severely enough to damage the head beyond the scalp and skull. According to the CT Department of Public Health (DPH), the severity of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can vary. Mild injuries can cause a brief change in mental status or consciousness, whereas severe injuries result in longer periods of unconsciousness and exacerbate long-term health effects. Between 2005 and 2012, the rates of TBI-related emergency department visits per 100,000 in Connecticut increased overall and among all age groups.

Based upon the data from DPH, the highest rates of TBI-related emergency department visits were among the 0 to 4 year olds. The next highest rates were among 15 to 19 year olds and 10 to 14 year olds were a close third. Overall, males had higher rates of TBI-related emergency department visits compared to females.

Connecticut’s Commission on Children provides a variety of resources regarding childhood traumatic brain injuries and has held an open roundtable with the state Department of Social Services, the Connecticut Family Support Council, and the Connecticut Fatherhood Initiative on this issue. Resources include TBI fact sheets, documents from their roundtable discussion provided by various agencies/organizations, and materials from other organizations. DPH also provides an extensive series of recommendations and external links regarding preventative measures to reduce TBIs. At the state level, the Connecticut General Assembly passed concussion legislation in 2014 that required the State Board of Education to develop a concussion education plan, prohibited school boards from allowing a student athlete to participate in any intramural or interscholastic athletic activity unless the athlete and their parent or guardian receive training on concussions and notification of concussion occurrence. The legislation also established a Youth Athletics and Concussion Task Force to provide additional recommendations to the legislature. The recommendations from that task force led to the passage of new legislation regarding youth athletics. This new language will provide up to date information for parents and youth athletes regarding the signs, risks, and treatments of concussions, as well as the proper procedures to safely return to play after sustaining a concussion.

Partners

  • Department of Public Health
  • CT Chiropractic Association
  • Connecticut Nurses Association
  • Parents Concussion Coalition

Strategy

  • Educate children, the public, and providers about leading causes of and prevention measures for TBI.
  • Educate the public and providers about the effects of TBI including the long term effects associated with head injury.
  • Educate the public and providers that concussions are brain injuries and the signs, symptoms and the appropriate treatment for concussions.
  • Develop and distribute standardized protocol for post-concussion management.
  • Expand partnerships with community agencies serving underserved populations and persons with or at risk of TBI.

Strategies provided by the Department of Public Health (DPH)

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