The epidemiology of traumatic brain injury in Wisconsin, 2001.

PROBLEM: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability in the United States. To implement more effective injury prevention and treatment programs, it is important to identify the regional impact, causes, risk factors, and trends of TBI. This report summarizes the public health impact of TBI in Wisconsin.

METHODS: Data on fatal and non-fatal TBI injuries in Wisconsin in 2001 were obtained from 2 separate data sources: National Center for Vital Statistics and the Wisconsin Bureau for Health Information. Rates of fatal and nonfatal TBI were calculated using 2000 population estimates as denominators.

RESULTS: There were 1059 TBI fatalities and 4006 living TBI-related hospital discharges in Wisconsin in 2001. The overall rate of TBI in Wisconsin for 2001 was 94.4 per 100,000 people. The number of fatal and nonfatal TBI related injuries was higher for males than females, at all ages, except nonfatal injuries in persons older than 65 years. Fatalities from TBI were highest in young adults and the elderly.

CONCLUSIONS: TBI is a major cause of death and hospitalizations in Wisconsin. Male teens and young adults, and the elderly are high-risk groups for TBI. Preventive measures should be aimed at these high-risk groups.