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Brain Injury in the News | June 15, 2022

June 15, 2022

Brain Injury News

Brain injury is a leading cause of disability and death in the United States. From falls to assaults to overdoses, millions of people sustain brain injuries every day. For some, brain injury is an event that they survive without lingering effects; for others, it is the end of their lives; and many join the more than 5.3 million Americans who live with a permanent brain injury-related disability.

Reading or listening to the news, it is clear that brain injury is all around us.

Jan. 6 Committee Hearings

During the first prime time hearing of the House Select Committee on Jan. 6, U.S. Capitol Police Offer Caroline Edwards testified that she had sustained a concussion and was knocked unconscious during the riot. Her words and an accompanying video of this violent TBI, as well as her resolve to continue fighting after it happened, were no doubt part of the reason she was chosen to testify.

It is important to remember that individuals can sustain a concussion without the loss of consciousness.

The War in Ukraine

As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues, the news reports focus on the loss of life and territory, need for supplies, and geopolitical implications. Brain injury is well known to individuals in combat zones, and this is no different in Ukraine. Vehicle crashes, explosions, and other violent motions or actions associated with the head can cause lifelong brain damage or death.

COVID-19

The coronavirus pandemic remains a reality, and for some who contract the virus, Long COVID may have lingering neurological effects. Scientific study is currently underway on brain fog, which can be a part of Long COVID, and includes short-term memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and confusion. All of these effects are consistent with injury to the brain.

The Shooting in Uvalde

The tragic shooting in Uvalde, Texas that left 19 children and two teachers dead has reignited a nationwide discussion on guns. Although firearms do not lead to brain injury as often as some other causes, such as falls, they are notably lethal. Fire-arm related suicide is the most common cause of traumatic brain injury-related deaths in the United States, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Monkeypox, the Trial of Amber Heard, and Inflation

Brain injuries happen frequently and can be tied to most major news stories.

  • Monkeypox: Viruses can be a source of so-called ‘non-traumatic’ brain injury, harming the brain from the inside out. This can be specifically tied to high fever, which is a symptom of monkeypox.
  • Trial of Amber Heard: The trial of celebrity couple Amber Heard versus ex-husband Johnny Depp revolved around the question of whether their toxic relationship involved intimate partner violence. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is common in situations of intimate partner violence, with more than one in three domestic violence survivors sustaining injuries to the head, face, or neck, and many also suffering strangulation.
  • Inflation: Socioeconomic factors have a direct impact on health outcomes. In an economic downturn, the most vulnerable populations are those most likely to lose access to care and rehabilitative services, including for major events such as brain injuries.

The Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) has been a steadfast source of support for the brain injury community for more than 40 years, regardless of the day’s headlines.

If you or a loved one has sustained a brain injury, the compassionate, knowledgeable specialists at National Brain Injury Information Center can offer information and assistance in locating support services. Call now at 1-800-444-6443.

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About the Brain Injury Association of America:

The Brain Injury Association of America is the country’s oldest and largest nationwide brain injury advocacy organization. Our mission is to advance awareness, research, treatment, and education and to improve the quality of life for all people affected by brain injury. We are dedicated to increasing access to quality health care and raising awareness and understanding of brain injury.

 

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