Traumatic brain injury

“Let’s just say that life after my husband’s brain injury turned out very differently than we expected. We don’t have a husband or father who works full-time and understands all of life’s complex decisions, but we’ve made adjustments and learned how to cope.”

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A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the normal function of the brain. Not all blows or jolts to the head result in a TBI. The severity of a TBI may range from “mild,” i.e., a brief change in mental status or consciousness to “severe,” i.e., an extended period of unconsciousness or amnesia after the injury¹.

Brain injuries can happen to anyone, regardless of age and situation. Traumatic brain injuries can have a dramatic impact on a person’s ability to lead an active, fulfilling life. TBIs can affect an individual’s ability to work, as well as his or her short- and long-term memory, vision, sleep, mood, and movement.

We all have unique brains, which means that injuries to this vital organ will affect each of us differently.

Utah statistics

Every day in Utah, 25 people are treated and released from an emergency room due to a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Another 6 are hospitalized and 1 person dies each day from a TBI.²

Approximately 1 out of every 14 Utah households has an individual who sustained a TBI.³

In 1 year, 6,228 Utahns were treated for a concussion.⁴

Of these, 41.7% were due to sports/recreation activities, 25.7% of those were among teens ages 15–19 and 22.6% were among children ages 10–14.⁴

Three students suffer a concussion every dat at school.⁵

See the data

TBI database

Since 1990, the Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Violence and Injury Prevention Program (VIPP) has collected data on TBIs in Utah through review of hospital discharge data, death certificates, and hospital records. TBIs are included in the database when they result in hospitalization or death with one or more of the following:

Observed or self-reported unconsciousness or decreased level of consciousness;

Amnesia;

Skull fracture;

Changes in motor function, sensory function, reflexes, or speech; or

Seizures, hemorrhages, bruising, or other trauma to the brain.

Caring for a loved one recovering from a head injury is a selfless act, but it’s also challenging—and at times, even overwhelming

Chances are you have a lot more questions than answers, especially when a person you care about seems so different after their injury. The Utah Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Fund offers free coaching services to TBI survivors, and can help eliminate some stress on family members. Our brain injury experts understand the challenges you’re facing as a caregiver and can help you find the information and resources you need to best support your loved one’s definition of success. Talk to someone who understands how to help.

The TBI Fund was established by the Utah State Legislature to help Utahns who have suffered from a TBI. The TBI Fund is overseen by the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, and we work closely with brain injury experts in the community. Our caring, trained brain injury experts can help you find the resources you need to facilitate your loved one’s return to work, school, hobbies, and other activities through a process called resource facilitation. Call us for free information about the best way to support the recovery process, and to determine if the loved one you’re caring for is eligible to receive other free services like neuropsychological testing or ongoing coaching. Our brain injury coaches will help your loved one set goals and figure out what assistance is needed to reach those goals. They will contact your loved one every week to see how things are going and offer encouragement and help.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Fund in Utah

Established by the Utah State Legislature in 2008, the TBI Fund seeks to educate and empower those whose lives have been impacted by the effects of a traumatic brain injury. Individuals with a TBI may receive help with resource facilitation or neuropsychological testing through the TBI Fund. Resource facilitation is a process that involves working with caring, trained experts who understand what someone with a TBI is going through. These experts provide short-term support to help the person with the TBI and their family members meet their goals and successfully return to school, work, or other daily activities.

Brain Injury Alliance Utah (BIAU)

Our mission is to improve the lives of individuals with brain injury by supporting, educating, inspiring, advocating, and engaging a global community.

Our vision is a world in which everyone with a brain injury has the resources and support they need to thrive.

Contact: 1338 South Foothill Drive, Unit #240

Salt Lake City, UT 84108

(801) 709-1420

braininjuryutah.org

ashley@biau.org

Neuroworx

Neuroworx provides specialized neurological physical, occupational, and speech therapy for adults and children experiencing conditions causing paralysis. Individualized one-on-one care, while applying neuroplasticity principles to optimize each outcome, is the core of our treatment philosophy. Our therapy treatment plans are customized for each patient and continually evaluated and updated to accelerate progress and promote functional ability.

Contact: 90 West Albion Village Way

Sandy, UT 84070

(801) 619-3670

neuroworx.org

Phoenix Services

Our goal is to move each person toward independent living and dignifying work in the community. We have succeeded when a person becomes a contributing member of his or her community, and when a community, in turn, becomes more empathetic and accepting of the diversity found in all human beings.

Contact: 1129 South State Street, #100

Clearfield, UT 84015

(801) 825-4535

phoenixservices.org

Roads to Independence

Roads to Independence is a non-profit organization committed to serving individuals with disabilities in Weber, Morgan, and Davis counties. Services provided include, advocacy training, independent living services, assistive technology loan bank, life skills training and recreation.

Contact: 3355 South Washington Boulevard

Ogden, UT 84401

(801) 612-3215

rticil.org

University of Utah (UofU) Sugarhouse Outpatient Clinic

Helping you recover from stroke, concussions, and traumatic injuries. Our Sugar House therapy services clinic is the only Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) accredited, outpatient multidisciplinary neurologic specialty clinic in Utah.

As an outpatient rehabilitation center, we help you and your loved ones do what’s most important to take are of themselves, work, be active in your community, get back to school, and even drive again. We work with a multitude of patients from age 14 and up.

Contact: 1280 East Stringham Avenue

Salt Lake City, UT 84016

(801)581-2121

healthcare.utah.edu

Utah Independent Living Center (UILC)

The UILC is a non-residential facility that provides services which enhance the independence of people with disabilities. The UICL was the first independent living center in Utah and has been serving the communities of Slat Lake, Summit, and Tooele counties since 1982. We are consumer controlled with a majority of staff and board members being people with disabilities.

Contact: 3445 South Main Street

Salt Lake City, UT 84115

(801) 466-5565

uilc.org

Utah Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) and Brain Injury (BI) Rehabilitation Fund

Established by the Utah State Legislature in 2008, the TBI Fund seeks to educate and empower those whose lives have been impacted by the effects of a traumatic brain injury. Individuals with a TBI may receive help with resource facilitation or neuropsychological testing through the TBI Fund. Resource facilitation is a process that involves working with caring, trained experts who understand what someone with a TBI is going through. These experts provide short-term support to help the person with the TBI and their family members meet their goals and successfully return to school, work, or other daily activities.

What is the TBI Fund?

The TBI Fund is a payor of last resort, meaning individuals have no other financial means available to obtain these services. However, everyone who calls the Utah TBI Fund for help receives a free intake assessment and consultation from a trained brain injury coach. Individuals may also qualify to receive help with physical, occupational, and speech therapy or equipment needed for daily living through the Utah Traumatic Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Rehabilitation Fund.

Read annual reports showing the impact of the TBI Fund here.

Donations

If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to the TBI Fund, send checks or money orders to:

Jake Hennessy
Office of Fiscal Operations
Utah Department of Health and Human Services
P.O. Box 144002
Salt Lake City, UT 84114

Please make the check or money order to “DHHS-TBI”. For questions about the TBI Fund, contact:

Traci Barney
Violence and Injury Prevention Program
Utah Department of Health and Human Services
288 North 1460 West
P.O. Box 142106
Salt Lake City, UT 84114
(801) 538-9277
tabarney@utah.gov

Recovering from a head injury is both frustrating and difficult. But there is hope. Things can get better—and you’re not alone.

Your path to recovery will be much smoother with the right support. The Utah Traumatic Brain Injury Fund offers free coaching services to recovering traumatic brain injury survivors. Our brain injury coaches understand what you’re going through, and they can answer your questions and help you find the information you need to keep making progress and reach your definition of success.

Causes of TBI in Utah

There were over 64,000 TBI-related deaths in the United States in 2020.⁶ That’s about 176 TBI-related deaths every day.

TBIs affect the lives of people of all ages. 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.⁷

Service members and veterans.⁸

People who experience homelessness.⁹

People who are in correctional and detention facilities.¹⁰

Survivors of intimate partner violence.¹¹

People living in rural areas.¹²

Disparities and TBIs

Signs and symptoms of a TBI

Some signs of a TBI may include:

Headache or neck pain that won't go away.

Blurred vision.

Lack of energy/tired.

Ringing in the ears.

Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much.

Loss of balance.

"Hurt" by loud noises or bright lights.

Some changes in behavior from a TBI may include:

Easily irritate or aggressive.

Mood changes: feeling sad, anxious.

Not interested in things that used to be enjoyable.

Confused, gets lost easily.

Slow in thinking, speaking, or reading.

Hard time getting organized, making decisions, or solving problems.

Hard time paying attention.

Forgetting things that happened a few minutes or days ago.

Ways to prevent a TBI

Always wear a helmet during sports, bike riding, horse riding, etc.

Encourage family, friends, and community members to wear helmets.

Always wear a seatbelt when driving or riding in a vehicle.

Increase in seat belt usage through policies, laws, or education.

Decrease in driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs through policies, laws, and education.

Support falls prevention initiatives.

Support school policies that protect athletes "return to play."

Increase education on concussion prevention.

For questions about TBI contact:

Traci Barney
Violence and Injury Prevention Program
Utah Department of Health and Human Services
288 North 1460 West
PO Box 142106
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-2106
(385) 260-4525
tbi@utah.gov

Daniel Musto
Violence and Injury Prevention Program
Utah Department of Health and Human Services
288 North 1460 West
PO Box 142106
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-2106
(385) 242-5820
tbi@utah.gov

Partners

References

CDC Traumatic Brain Injury
Utah Department of Health and Human Services. Public Health Indicator Based Information System (IBIS). Health Indicator Report of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Accessed 5/17/2021: /ibis.health.utah.gov/indicator/view/TBI.Etiol.html.
Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Violence and Injury Prevention Program, Traumatic Brain Injury Surveillance Program.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Report to Congress on mild traumatic brain injury in the United States: Steps to prevent a serious public health problem. Atlanta (GA): Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2003.
Utah Department of Health and Human Services. Student Injury Reporting System. Access: http://sir.health.utah.gov/.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Center for Health Statistics: Mortality data on CDC WONDER. Available at: https://wonder.cdc.gov/mcd.html.
Daugherty J, Waltzman D, Sarmiento K, Xu L. Traumatic brain injury–related deaths by race/ethnicity, sex, intent, and mechanism of injury — United States, 2000–2017. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2019;68(46):1050-1056.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health, Department of Defense, and Veterans Administration. Report to Congress on traumatic brain injury in the United States: Understanding the public health problem among current and former military personnel. Atlanta (GA): Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2013.
Stubbs J, Thornton A, Sevick J, et al. Traumatic brain injury in homeless and marginally housed individuals: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Public Health. 2020;5(1):e19-e32.
Durand E, Chevignard M, Ruet A, Dereix A, Jourdan C, Pradat-Diehl P. History of traumatic brain injury in prison populations: A systematic review. Ann Phys Rehabil. 2017;60(2):95-101
St Ivany A, Schminkey D. Intimate Partner Violence and Traumatic Brain Injury: State of the Science and Next Steps. Fam Community Health. 2016;39(2):129-37.
Chapital A. Traumatic brain injury: outcomes of a rural versus urban population over a 5-year period. Hawaii Med J. 2007 Dec;66(12):318-21.