It’s a bigger problem than you think

Do you know the leading cause of death among young adults?

Brain-sloshing blows to the head are common on the field

Brave soldiers on the front face death and unimaginable challenges on a daily basis

Not gunshot wounds… Not automobile accidents… Not sports injuries… Not cancer… Not heart disease… Not war.

Perhaps surprisingly, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is the leading cause of death among people between ages of 10 and 24. TBI is a major public health problem that affects all age groups. It occurs when a sudden trauma or head injury disrupts the function of the brain.

Researchers have discovered that even a small concussion can  have lasting consequences. And concern has been raised about the potential long-term effects of repeated concussion, particularly in those most at risk: young athletes and those engaged in professions associated with frequent head injury, including men and women in the military.

Current tests cannot reliably identify concussions, and there is no way to predict who will recover quickly, who will suffer long-term symptoms, and which few individuals will develop progressive brain degeneration, called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

Studies have confirmed some alarming lasting effects, and organizations representing professional athletes are developing programs to help. The Veterans Administration (VA) has resources available for survivors of military action.

But there’s so much more to do…