Study Reveals Men 3 Times More Likely to Die from Traumatic Brain Injuries

New Delhi: Men are more than three times as likely to die from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) compared to women, according to a study published on Friday.

The analysis of U.S. mortality data from 2021, featured in the journal Brain Injury, highlights the disproportionate burden of TBIs on males, older adults, and specific racial and ethnic groups.

The study reveals that suicides were the leading cause of TBI-related deaths, followed closely by unintentional falls. Among the 69,473 TBI-related deaths recorded in 2021—an average of 190 per day—the age-adjusted mortality rate was 19.5 per 100,000, an increase of nearly 9% from 2020.

“Men face a significantly higher risk, with an age-adjusted death rate of 30.5 per 100,000 compared to 9.4 for women,” said lead author Alexis Peterson from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Older adults were identified as another high-risk group, particularly for TBI-related deaths caused by unintentional falls. Adults aged 75 and older had the highest mortality rate, at 86.6 per 100,000. “Older adults with pre-existing comorbidities such as coronary heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes face an increased mortality risk following a TBI,” Peterson noted.

Disparities were also evident among racial and ethnic groups. Non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native individuals had the highest TBI-related death rates, driven largely by suicides and motor vehicle crashes. Non-Hispanic Black individuals experienced high rates of homicide-related TBIs.

“Culturally tailored interventions are crucial for addressing these disparities,” Peterson emphasized. “For example, programs that integrate American Indian/Alaska Native cultural values, such as storytelling, could help reduce suicide and motor vehicle crashes in these populations.”

The study also highlighted geographic challenges, particularly in rural areas. “Barriers to accessing emergency trauma care, including Level I trauma centres, are significant factors contributing to higher TBI mortality rates in rural communities,” Peterson said.

“Tailored prevention efforts are urgently needed,” Peterson concluded. “Healthcare providers must play a critical role in assessing at-risk patients and offering culturally sensitive care to reduce preventable deaths.”

The findings underscore the need for targeted public health strategies, including fall prevention programs for older adults, suicide prevention initiatives, and expanded access to trauma care in underserved areas.