Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can happen to anyone, but some groups face significantly higher risk than others. A TBI is any injury that impacts how the brain functions, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These injuries can range from mild concussions to severe damage, and they're caused by penetrating head wounds, jolts, blows, or bumps to the head .

Which Groups Face the Highest Risk for Traumatic Brain Injury?

Research shows that certain populations experience TBIs at much higher rates than the general population. Understanding who's most vulnerable is the first step toward prevention and early intervention. Medical professionals have identified several groups that warrant special attention and protective measures.

• People Living in Rural Areas: Rural residents face unique risks due to limited emergency services, longer distances to specialized care, and exposure to agricultural and recreational hazards.
• Domestic Violence Survivors: Individuals experiencing intimate partner violence are at elevated risk for head injuries and repeated trauma.
• Incarcerated Individuals: People in correctional facilities face higher rates of violence-related head injuries.
• Unhoused Populations: People experiencing homelessness encounter increased fall risks, violence exposure, and limited access to preventive care.
• Military Members and Veterans: Active-duty service members and veterans experience TBIs from combat, training accidents, and blast injuries.
• Ethnic and Racial Minorities: Disparities in healthcare access and socioeconomic factors contribute to higher TBI rates in some communities.

Beyond these high-risk groups, nearly half of all TBI-related hospitalizations result from falls, making fall prevention a critical public health priority . While falls are the leading cause of TBI emergency department visits, firearm-related suicide is the most common cause of TBI-related death in the United States.

Why Are Older Adults Particularly Vulnerable?

Older adults face a compounded risk when it comes to traumatic brain injuries. They're more likely than younger people to die from TBIs due to brain atrophy, which is the natural shrinking of brain tissue with age, and physiological frailty. Additionally, many older adults take antiplatelet medications or blood thinners to prevent heart attacks and strokes, and these medications increase the risk of bleeding in the brain after a TBI . This means that even a seemingly minor fall can have serious consequences for an older person. Medical teams need to carefully evaluate older adults for TBI symptoms whenever they've experienced a fall or been in a motor vehicle or motorcycle collision.

How to Prevent Traumatic Brain Injuries

The good news is that many TBIs can be prevented through deliberate action. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke outlines several evidence-based strategies that significantly reduce your risk of head injury.

• Exercise Regularly: Building strength and balance through consistent physical activity reduces your risk of falls, which account for nearly half of all TBI hospitalizations.
• Never Drive Impaired: Avoid operating any vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, as impaired driving is a major cause of motor vehicle and motorcycle crashes.
• Wear Appropriate Helmets: Use a well-fitting helmet when playing contact sports like football or hockey, skateboarding, or riding a bicycle or motorcycle.
• Always Wear a Seatbelt: Seatbelts are one of the most effective ways to reduce head injury risk during motor vehicle collisions.
• Exercise Caution on Stairs and Ladders: Be mindful when navigating elevated surfaces, and use handrails whenever available.

Beyond personal habits, making changes to your home environment can dramatically reduce fall risk. Installing handrails on stairways, adding grab bars next to toilets and in showers or tubs, and using nonslip mats in wet areas are all practical steps. Removing clutter and tripping hazards from hallways, improving lighting throughout your home, and installing safety gates and window guards if you have young children all contribute to a safer living space .

What Are the Warning Signs of a Traumatic Brain Injury?

Recognizing TBI symptoms is crucial because prompt medical attention can prevent serious complications. If you or a loved one experiences any of the following symptoms after an accident or head injury, call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department immediately .

• Neurological Symptoms: Loss of balance, weakness in the face, arms, or legs, slurred speech, confusion, or a decreased level of consciousness.
• Sensory Changes: Blurred or double vision, sensitivity to sound or light, ringing in the ears, or dizziness.
• Physical Indicators: Vomiting or nausea, clear fluid draining from ears or nose, a salty taste in the back of the throat, or unequal pupil size.
• Severe Signs: Seizures or severe headache that doesn't improve with rest.

These symptoms can appear immediately after an injury or develop over hours or days, so it's important to monitor yourself or a loved one carefully following any head trauma.

What Rehabilitation Options Are Available After a Brain Injury?

Recovery from a traumatic brain injury is a complex process that often requires specialized rehabilitation. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation specialists focus on restoring function and improving quality of life using the latest research and advanced techniques. One leading facility is the UofL Health Frazier Rehabilitation Institute, which operates a specialized Brain Injury Program serving patients of all ages and stages of recovery, including both traumatic and non-traumatic brain injuries .

"Our program focuses on restoring functional independence while reintegrating individuals into their homes and communities in meaningful ways," noted the specialists at UofL Health's Brain and Spine Institute.

UofL Health, Brain and Spine Institute

The Frazier Rehabilitation Institute's Brain Injury Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), ensuring that patients receive evidence-based care from qualified professionals. If you or a loved one needs rehabilitation services after a brain injury, a healthcare provider can refer you to a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation specialist, or you can seek care directly through specialized brain injury programs in your area .

Understanding your risk factors for traumatic brain injury and taking proactive steps to prevent injury can save lives. Whether you're in a high-risk group or simply want to protect yourself and your family, the combination of personal safety habits and environmental modifications offers powerful protection against this serious health threat.