Daijiworld Media Network- New Delhi

New Delhi, Jan 10: A recent study sheds light on the disproportionate impact of traumatic brain injuries (TBI), particularly highlighting how men are three times more likely to die from such injuries compared to women.

The study, based on US mortality data from 2021, emphasizes that TBI continues to have a significant impact on older adults, males, and certain racial and ethnic groups.

According to the findings, published in the peer-reviewed journal Brain Injury, suicides remain the leading cause of TBI-related deaths, followed by unintentional falls. Specific groups, including men and older adults, are disproportionately affected by these fatalities.

Men were found to be the most at-risk demographic, with a TBI-related death rate of 30.5 per 100,000, compared to 9.4 per 100,000 for women.

Alexis Peterson, lead author from the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stated, “Older adults are especially at risk, with unintentional falls being a significant cause of TBI-related death.”

The study highlighted multifactorial reasons for TBI deaths, including differences in injury severity following incidents like falls or motor vehicle crashes, as well as the interaction between sex and age. Men tend to have worse outcomes as they age, while postmenopausal women generally fare better in similar circumstances.

Peterson emphasized the need for tailored prevention strategies to reach at-risk groups and the importance of healthcare providers in reducing TBI-related deaths through early intervention and culturally sensitive care.

The analysis, using data from the National Vital Statistics System, revealed that there were 69,473 TBI-related deaths among US residents in 2021—averaging 190 deaths per day. The age-adjusted TBI-related mortality rate rose to 19.5 per 100,000, showing an 8.8 per cent increase from the previous year.