“ Detection and treatment for brain injury is incredibly important to our overall public health.”
New National Survey Finds Most Americans Unaware Concussions are Traumatic Brain Injuries
“ Detection and treatment for brain injury is incredibly important to our overall public health.”
7
According to a new national survey, most Americans lack critical knowledge about brain injuries, their causes and their longterm effects, even though four in 10 adults( 39 %) have experienced symptoms of traumatic brain injury during their lifetime.
The results uncovered significant gaps in knowledge and misconceptions. More than eight in 10 U. S. adults( 81 %) were unaware concussions are classified as traumatic brain injuries( TBIs), and 82 % did not recognize falls as the leading cause of brain injury.
The survey revealed the need for more conversations within health care settings as well. Fewer than one in four( 23 %) adults reported being screened for a history of brain injury during medical visits, despite the potential long-term impacts of brain injury. Additional key findings include:
• Misinformation on symptoms: While 70 % of adults say they are familiar with concussions, nearly half( 49 %) incorrectly identified at least one non-symptom( e. g., facial droop, hallucinations) as a sign of concussion.
• An invisible and hidden disability: About three in four( 77 %) U. S. adults recognize a brain injury can develop into a chronic health condition and that people with brain injuries don’ t always recover in a few days( 74 %), yet fewer than one-third( 28 %) consider brain injury to be an invisible( or hidden) disability.