A traumatic brain injury is defined as a forceful bump, blow, or jolt to the head—or a penetrating injury—that disrupts normal brain function.⁵ TBIs may occur when the brain rapidly moves within the skull due to acceleration-deceleration or whiplash-type motion, often referred to as closed head injuries. TBIs may also result from penetrating injuries, such as bullets or shrapnel, which pierce the skull and typically affect a localized region of the brain.

Importantly, many TBIs show no visible external signs of injury, making recognition and timely care more challenging.²

Causes of Traumatic Brain Injury in the United States

Closed TBIs are most commonly caused by:⁴

• Falls – 48%
• Motor vehicle crashes – 17%
• Assaults – 9%
• Sports and recreational activities – 8%

Older adults (age 65+) experience the highest rates of TBI-related hospitalization and death, most often due to falls.⁴ Young children are at increased risk from falls and recreational activities, while adolescent and young adult males are at highest risk for TBIs related to motor vehicle crashes and contact sports.

Concussions and other TBIs are common in athletic activities such as football, hockey, soccer, wrestling, and basketball.⁴ Though sports account for a smaller percentage of TBIs overall, they represent a significant proportion of TBIs among youth and adolescents.⁶ Indeed, sports-related TBIs are among the most preventable, making education, rule changes, protective equipment, and prompt removal-from-play policies critically important.⁶ Table 1 compares the sports and recreation-related proportion to all other causes.

Cause of TBI	Approx. % of All TBIs	High-Risk Populations
Falls	48%	Older adults, young children
Motor Vehicle Crashes	17%	Teens, young adults
Assaults	9%	Young adults
Sports & Recreation	8%	Youth, adolescents, student-athletes
Other / Unknown	18%	Varies

Concussions as a Type of TBI

A concussion is a mild form of TBI caused by a blow or jolt to the head that disrupts normal brain function.² Symptoms may include headache, nausea, dizziness, confusion, memory gaps, sensitivity to light or noise, and “seeing stars.”² Loss of consciousness may occur but is not required for a concussion diagnosis. Symptoms often evolve over several hours or days and are typically self-limiting; however, some individuals experience persistent symptoms lasting weeks or longer. Repeated concussions can increase the risk of long-term neurological impairment. Table 2 defines the classifications of TBIs.

Mild TBI Brief loss of consciousness (seconds to minutes), or nonePost-traumatic amnesia (PTA) < 1 hourNormal brain imaging

Moderate TBI Loss of consciousness for 1–24 hoursPTA lasting 1–24 hoursAbnormal brain imaging

Severe TBI Loss of consciousness or coma > 24 hoursPTA > 24 hoursAbnormal brain imaging

Among individuals diagnosed with moderate to severe TBI, approximately 50% experience long-term disability affecting employment, independence, or social relationships.⁴ The economic burden of TBIs in the United States—including direct medical costs and lost productivity—is estimated to exceed $75 billion annually.⁴

Public Health Prevention Strategies

Given the significant personal and societal impact of TBIs, public health efforts focus on prevention through:⁴

• Road safety and impaired-driving prevention
• Helmet laws and protective equipment
• Fall-prevention programs for older adults
• Sports safety policies and concussion education for coaches, schools, and athletic programs

The New York State Department of Health emphasizes that for TBI, “prevention is the only cure.” Michigan considers TBIs a serious enough issue that no-fault auto insurance within the state allows for compensation for TBIs in car accidents.

History of Brain Injury Education in Sports

In response to the Children’s Health Act of 2000, the CDC launched the Heads Up campaign in 2003 to educate coaches, healthcare providers, parents, and athletes on concussion recognition and prevention.⁷

Prior to this initiative, concussions were often underrecognized and untreated.⁷  Beginning in 2009, states enacted laws requiring concussion education for coaches and removal-from-play protocols for student athletes, frequently utilizing CDC Heads Up training materials.⁸ The campaign significantly increased awareness and improved early identification and management of sports-related TBIs.

Despite its documented success, the Heads Up program was removed from the CDC budget in April 2025, raising concerns about sustained national concussion prevention efforts.⁹

Brain Injuries and Policy in Michigan

According to the Brain Injury Association of Michigan, approximately 58,000 Michigan residents sustain a TBI each year.² In 2015, the Michigan High School Athletic Association implemented a Head Injury Reporting System requiring all member schools to report suspected head injuries during practices and competitions.¹⁰ Student-athletes must receive written medical clearance from a physician– MD or DO, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant before returning to play. Table 3 details the TBIs reported in Michigan High School Sports.

Sport	Reported TBIs
Contact Football	1,309
Soccer	242
Basketball	239
Other Sports	1,278
Total	3,068

These data align with national CDC estimates showing tackle football as the leading cause of sports-related TBIs.⁶

Brain Injury Awareness Month

Brain Injury Awareness Month, observed every March, is dedicated to highlighting the often unseen impact of brain injuries on individuals, families, and communities. This national observance emphasizes prevention, early recognition, and advocacy to reduce long-term disability and improve quality of life for those affected.

Brain Injury Awareness Month focuses on:¹¹

• Increasing awareness of brain injury prevention
• Educating the public on signs and symptoms
• Advocating for individuals and families affected by brain injury

How You can Get Involved

Public awareness and community engagement play a critical role in reducing stigma, improving early identification, and supporting individuals living with brain injuries. Everyone—from individuals and families to professionals and organizations—can take meaningful action during Brain Injury Awareness Month.

• Wear green throughout March to promote brain injury awareness
• Attend webinars, trainings, or support groups on brain injury prevention
• Share your story to reduce stigma and increase understanding
• Support brain injury research and advocacy organizations

Michigan-Specific Resources for Brain Injury Rehabilitation

Access to specialized rehabilitation and supportive services is essential for recovery after a brain injury. Michigan offers programs and organizations dedicated to helping individuals and families navigate long-term care, therapy, and financial support needs following a brain injury.

• Hope Network – Neuro-rehabilitation services for individuals recovering from brain injury
  https://hopenetwork.org/neuro-rehabilitation/brain-injury-rehabilitation
• Children’s Special Health Care Services – Coverage for eligible children and young adults (up to age 26) with brain injuries
  https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/assistance-programs/cshcs/general-information-for-families-about-cshcs
• MDHHS “Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in Michigan webpage – Contains resource guides for persons with TBI and their families, recovery from TBI and concussions, and on Medicaid and TBI https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/keep-mi-healthy/mentalhealth/mentalhealth/tbi

Summary

Traumatic brain injuries affect millions of Americans each year, often with lasting physical, cognitive, and emotional consequences for individuals and their families. Brain Injury Awareness Month serves as an important reminder that many TBIs are preventable through education, policy, and safety measures, while early recognition and access to appropriate care can significantly improve outcomes. By increasing public awareness, supporting evidence-based prevention strategies, and ensuring access to rehabilitation and support services—particularly at the state and community level—we can reduce the burden of brain injury and improve quality of life for those impacted. Collective action, informed advocacy, and continued investment in brain injury research and education remain essential to advancing public health and safety.

References:

1. Brain Injury Association of America. What is a Brain Injury? Retrieved 2/7/2026 from https://biausa.org/brain-injury/about-brain-injury/what-is-a-brain-injury
2. Brain Injury Association of Michigan. What is a Brain Injury? Types of Brain Injuries and Causes. Retrieved 2/7/2026 from https://www.biami.org/
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Deaths and Mortality, 2023, dated January 9, 2026. Retrieved 2/15/2026 from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/deaths.htm
4. Ramirez S, The Brain Injury Institute. Brain Injury Statistics and Facts: The Global and Human Impact, dated October 8,2025. Retrieved 2/7/2026 from https://www.braininjuryinstitute.org/about-brain-injury/statistics-facts/
5. National Institute of Brain Disorders and Stroke. Traumatic Brain Injury. Retrieved 2/7/2026 from https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/traumatic-brain-injury-tbi
6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Heads Up: Data on Sports and Recreation Activities, dated January 27, 2026. Retrieved 2/7/2026 from https://www.cdc.gov/heads-up/data/index.html
7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Heads Up: About the Heads Up Campaign, dated July 28, 2025. Retrieved 2/7/2026 from https://www.cdc.gov/heads-up/headsup/index.html
8. Sarminento K, Hoffman R, Dmitrovsky Z, Lee R. A 10-year review of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Heads Up initiatives: Bringing concussion awareness to the forefront., Journal of Safety Research June 2014. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2014.05.003
9. Massetti G. CDC’s Ability to Prevent Injuries, Like Drowning, Traumatic Brain Injury and Falls Severely Compromised by Trump Cuts. The Conversation, dated October 29, 2025. Retrieved 2/7/2026 from https://theconversation.com/cdcs-ability-to-prevent-injuries-like-drowning-traumatic-brain-injury-and-falls-is-severely-compromised-by-trump-cuts-267531
10. Michigan High School Athletic Association. Head Injury Reporting System, 2024-2025 School Year Summary Report. Retrieved 2/7/2026 from https://www.mhsaa.com/sites/default/files/Health%20Safety/Concussion%20Resources/2024-25-Concussion-Summary-Report.pdf?time=1770482069971:
11. Brain Injury Awareness Month 2026, Awareness Days. Retrieved 2/7/2026 from https://www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/brain-injury-awareness-month/