Introduction: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects how the brain functions and remains a prominent cause of death in the United States. Although preventable, anyone can experience a TBI and epidemiological research suggests some groups have worse health outcomes following the injury. Methods: We analyzed 2020 multiple-cause-of-death data from the National Vital Statistics System to describe TBI mortality by geography, sociodemographic characteristics, mechanism of injury (MOI), and injury intent. Deaths were included if they listed an injury International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) underlying cause of death code and a TBI-related ICD-10 code in one of the multiple-cause-of-death fields. Results: During 2020, 64,362 TBI-related deaths occurred and age-adjusted rates, per 100,000 population, were highest among persons residing in the South (20.2). Older adults (75) displayed the highest number and rate of TBI-related deaths compared with other age groups and unintentional falls and suicide were the leading external causes among this older age group. The age-adjusted rate of TBI-related deaths in males was more than three times the rate of females (28.3 versus 8.4, respectively); further, males displayed higher numbers and age-adjusted rates compared with females for all the principal MOIs that contributed to a TBI-related death. American Indian or Alaska Native, Non-Hispanic (AI/AN) persons had the highest age-adjusted rate (29.0) of TBI-related deaths when compared with other racial and ethnic groups. Suicide was the leading external cause of injury contributing to a TBI-related death among AI/AN persons. Practical application: Prevention efforts targeting older adult falls and suicide are warranted to reduce disparities in TBI mortality among older adults and AI/AN persons. Effective strategies are described in CDC's Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, & Injuries (STEADI) initiative to reduce older adult falls and CDC's Preventing Suicide: A Technical Package of Policy, Programs, and Practices for the best available evidence in suicide prevention. 2022

OBJECTIVE: Describe rates of hip fracture-related emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, and deaths among older adults (aged ≥65 years) in the United States. METHODS: Data from the 2019 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project and National Vital Statistics System were used to calculate rates of hip fracture-related ED visits, hospitalizations, and deaths among older adults by select characteristics and mechanism of injury. RESULTS: In 2019, there were 318,797 ED visits, 290,130 hospitalizations, and 7731 deaths related to hip fractures among older adults. About 88% of ED visits and hospitalizations and approximately 83% of deaths related to hip fractures were caused by falls. Rates were highest among older adults living in rural areas and among those aged ≥85 years. DISCUSSION: Most hip fractures among older adults are fall-related. Healthcare providers can prevent falls among their older patients by screening for fall risk, assessing modifiable risk factors, and offering evidence-based interventions.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI), which can disrupt normal brain function and result in short- and long-term adverse clinical outcomes, including disability and death, is preventable. To describe the 2018 incidence of nonfatal TBI-related hospitalizations in the United States by sociodemographic characteristics, injury intent, and mechanism of injury, CDC analyzed data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample. During 2018, there were 223,050 nonfatal TBI-related hospitalizations; rates among persons aged ≥75 years were approximately three times higher than those among persons aged 65-74 years, and the age-adjusted rate among males was approximately double that among females. Unintentional falls were the most common mechanism of injury leading to nonfatal TBI-related hospitalization, followed by motor vehicle crashes. Proper and consistent use of recommended restraints (i.e., seatbelts, car seats, and booster seats) and, particularly for persons aged ≥75 years, learning about individual fall risk from health care providers are two steps the public can take to prevent the most common injuries leading to nonfatal TBIs. The findings in this report could be used by public health officials and clinicians to identify priority areas for prevention programs.

During 2010-2016, there were an average of 283,000 U.S. emergency department (ED) visits each year among children for sports and recreation-related traumatic brain injuries (SRR-TBIs); approximately 45% of these SRR-TBIs were associated with contact sports (1). Although most children with an SRR-TBI are asymptomatic within 4 weeks, there is growing concern about potential long-term effects on a child's developing brain (2). This has led to calls to reduce the risk for traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) among child athletes, resulting in the introduction of state policies and the institution of safety rules (e.g., age and contact restrictions) for some sports programs. To assess changes in the incidence of ED-related SRR-TBI among children, CDC analyzed data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System-All Injury Program (NEISS-AIP) for the period 2001-2018. After more than a decade of increasing rates, the rate of contact sports-related TBI ED visits declined 32% from 2012 to 2018. This reduction was primarily the result of a decline in football-related SRR-TBI ED visits during 2013-2018. Decreased participation in tackle football (3) and implementation of contact limitations (4) were likely contributing factors to this decline. Public health professionals should continue to expand efforts to address SRR-TBIs in football, which is the sport with the highest incidence of TBI, and identify effective prevention strategies for all sports to reduce TBIs among children.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), including concussions, are at the forefront of public concern about athletic injuries sustained by children. Caused by an impact to the head or body, a TBI can lead to emotional, physiologic, and cognitive sequelae in children (1). Physiologic factors (such as a child's developing nervous system and thinner cranial bones) might place children at increased risk for TBI (2,3). A previous study demonstrated that 70% of emergency department (ED) visits for sports- and recreation-related TBIs (SRR-TBIs) were among children (4). Because surveillance data can help develop prevention efforts, CDC analyzed data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System-All Injury Program (NEISS-AIP)* by examining SRR-TBI ED visits during 2010-2016. An average of 283,000 children aged <18 years sought care in EDs each year for SRR-TBIs, with overall rates leveling off in recent years. The highest rates were among males and children aged 10-14 and 15-17 years. TBIs sustained in contact sports accounted for approximately 45% of all SRR-TBI ED visits. Activities associated with the highest number of ED visits were football, bicycling, basketball, playground activities, and soccer. Limiting player-to-player contact and rule changes that reduce risk for collisions are critical to preventing TBI in contact and limited-contact sports. If a TBI does occur, effective diagnosis and management can promote positive health outcomes among children.

Exposure to adverse natural and environmental events (eg, extreme temperatures and disasters) poses a public health burden when resulting in injuries requiring emergency care. We examined the incidence and characteristics of persons with environmental exposure-related injuries treated in US-based hospital emergency departments during 2001 to 2004 by using the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System-All Injury Program. An estimated 26 527 (95% CI = 18 664-34 390) injuries were treated annually-78% were heat-related. People with heat-related conditions were men (P < 0.001) and had a median age of 34 years (range = <1 month-94 years). Targeting vulnerable populations in community-wide response measures may reduce injuries from adverse environmental exposures, especially heat.