Facts About Brain Injury

The Problem

Brain injury affects one in five households in Kentucky (19.4%) (1)

Brain injuries are six times more prevalent then breast cancer, aids, HIV, spinal cord injuries and multiple sclerosis combined. (1)

Approximately 850,000 Kentuckians live with a brain injury. (1)

Brain injuries are Kentucky's number one killer based on population. (1)

Kentucky's rate of brain injury is more than twice the national average. (1)

Brain injuries are the leading cause of death and disability in young children.(2)

Males account for approximately two-thirds of brain injuries. (1)

Kentucky's occupational death rate due to brain injury is 60% higher than the national average. (3)

The brain injury death and injury rate on Kentucky highways rose from 11% in 2000 to 29% in 2004. (1)

In the next 12 months, 22,500 Kentuckians will sustain new brain injuries severe enough to require hospital care.(4)

Severe brain injury lifetime of lost wages is approximately 1.5 million dollars.

Severe brain injury lifetime of medical expenses is approximately 1.5 million dollars.

Moderate brain injury costs are eleven times higher than with a mild brain injury.

Severe brain injury costs are forty times higher than with a mild brain injury.

The only cures for brain injury are prevention and research.

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