Facts about Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) 
At least 5.3 million Americans have a long-term disability as a result of TBI 
Traumatic brain injuries, by definition, are sustained as a result of blunt or penetrating trauma or acceleration-deceleration forces, and are typically associated with a decreased level of consciousness, amnesia, other neurological or neuropsychological abnormalities, skull fracture, or diagnosed intracranial lesions. These impairments may be either temporary or permanent and can result in partial or total functional disability. TBI does not refer to degenerative or congenital conditions. 
 According to the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA), there are nearly seven times more incidences of traumatic brain injury each year than diagnoses of breast cancer and HIV/AIDS combined. 
 1.4 million Americans--475,000 of them children--sustain TBIs each year. That's one injury every 21 seconds. (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention) 
 The leading causes of TBI in Georgia in 2008 were:  Falls (49.88%)  Motor Vehicle Crashes (24.36%)  Being struck by an object or person (14.3%)  Violence (11.4%) 
 Direct medical costs and indirect costs (such as lost productivity) associated with TBI are estimated at $60 billion annually. This number does not take into account returning military service personnel with TBI. (www.biausa.org) 
Top Needs of People with TBI: Based on requests from Trust Fund applicants in FY 2009, the top needs of people with TBI are: 
1. Transportation 2. Personal support services 3. Vocational support 
TBI Resources:  Brain Injury Association of Georgia, www.braininjurygeorgia.org - (404) 712-5504  National Brain Injury Information Center (BIAA), www.biausa.org - (800) 444-6443  Agewise/Gateway Connection, www.agewiseconnection.com - (404) 463-3333, (800) 676-2433  Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund Commission, www.bsitf.state.ga.us - (404) 651-5112, (888) 233-5760 
March, 2009 
 
 The Trust Fund: The mission of the Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund Commission is to enhance the lives of Georgians with traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries. Guided by the aspirations of people with traumatic injuries, the Commission supports lives of meaning, independence, and inclusion. As the state's Lead Agency on Traumatic Injuries, we: 
 Administer the Central Registry to identify those who are injured  Distribute resources through the Trust Fund, and  Advocate for improvements in statewide services The Trust Fund has awarded over $13 million to more than 1,500 Georgians with brain and/or spinal injuries since 2002. To learn more about the Trust Fund, or to find additional information on TBI and read about important legislative issues and upcoming initiatives for people with traumatic injuries, visit the Commission's web site at www.bsitf.state.ga.us. 
June, 2010