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About the Brain Injury Association of West
Virginia In the early 1980s, frustrated by the lack of
resources available for themselves and their son who sustained a
severe brain injury, two parents started the work that eventually
resulted in the West Virginia Head Injury Foundation (WVHIF).
With the help of professionals, survivors, and other family
members, the WVHIF was organized in 1985 and chartered as a chapter
of the National Head Injury Foundation in 1987.
Over the years, the Foundation has grown to serve the needs of
thousands of people in West Virginia. In 1996, the WVHIF changed its
name to Brain Injury Association of West Virginia, Inc. in
conjunction with the national office.
The Brain Injury Association of West Virginia is a charter member
of the Brain Injury Association of America, Inc. and is governed at
the state level by a board of directors which is comprised of
professionals, family members, survivors, and interested community
members.
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State and National Statistics |
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) means acquired injury to the brain.
The injury can be caused by external forces such as falls, physical
abuse, violence, motor vehicle crashes, pedestrian-motor vehicle and
motorcycle/bicycle accidents, firearms, and recreational and sports
injuries.
West Virginia Statistics
Brain injuries were responsible for 3,600
hospitalizations in West Virginia in 1996
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is the #1 killer of persons under
the age of 44 and a MAJOR cause of disability.
Each year approximately 700 West Virginians will die as a
result of a TBI. Most deaths occur at time of injury or within the
first two hours of hospitalization.
Of those who survive each year, approximately 600 West
Virginians WILL have long term disabilities.
Young men between the ages of 15 and 24 have the highest rate
of injury. Males are more likely to suffer serious head injuries
than females.
Motor vehicle accidents cause more than one-half of all
traumatic brain injuries.
(Obtained from the Brain Injury Association of West Virginia)
ATV Statistics
- West Virginia had the highest ATV-related fatality rate (per
capita using 1990 census data) among all states from 1990-1998:
5.6 per 100,000 (national rate is 0.74).
- 101 men, women and children died in ATV-related incidents in
WV from 1990-98. This represents the third highest count
nationally.
- The deaths increased from 8 per year in 1990-95 to 18 per year
in 1996-98.
- The number of ATV-related injuries reported by emergency
departments and trauma centers across WV grossly underestimates
the true number.
- ATV drivers under age 16 are 2.5 times more likely than
drivers aged 16-34 and 4.5 times more likely than drivers aged
35-54 to be injured.
(Obtained from the West Virginia Injury Prevention Coalition)
National Statistics
- During 1996, 212 young motorcycle drivers (15-20 years old)
were killed and additional 7,000 were injured.
- In 1996, 51% of the motorcycle drivers between the ages of 15
to 20 who were fatally injured in crashes were not wearing
helmets.
- The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration
estimates that helmets saved the lives of 490 motorcyclists of all
ages in 1996, and that if all motorcyclists had worn helmets, an
additional 279 lives could have been saved.
- Helmets are estimated to be 29% effective in preventing fatal
injuries to motorcyclists.
- A recent NHTSA study showed that motorcycle helmets are 67%
effective in preventing brain injuries.
- Among riders involved in crashes, those who do not wear
helmets are 40% more likely to sustain a fatal brain injury.
- In 1993, helmet use in the states with all-rider helmet laws
resulted in 515 lives saved, 2,035 moderate to serious injuries
prevented and more than $513 million saved.
- A single brain-injured motorcyclist can cost a state more than
$2 million over a lifetime.
- Fatalities from brain injuries are twice as high in states
with weak or no motorcycle helmet laws in comparison to states
enforcing helmet laws.
(Obtained from the National Brain Injury Association)
- Every bicycle helmet saves this country $395 in direct health
care costs and other costs to society.
- If 85% of all child cyclists wore bicycle helmets for one
year, the savings in medical costs would be between $109 million
and $142 million.
- A person who survives a head injury typically needs 5 to 10
years of intensive rehabilitation services. The estimated lifetime
cost of these services may exceed $4 million per injured person.
(Obtained from the National Center for Injury Prevention and
Control)
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