ACQUIRED BRAIN INJURY
- Brain Injury is the #1 killer and disabler of people under 45.
- It is estimated that up to 14,000 British Columbians acquire new Brain Injuries each year.
- 160,000 British Columbians live with the devastating impacts of Brain Injuries at any time.
- Motor vehicle accidents account for the majority of deaths and disability due to unintentional injury.
- Brain Injury can range from mild (concussion) to severe (coma).
- Brain Injury is the leading cause of death and disability among children.
- After
one brain injury the risk of a second is three times greater.
Acquired Brain Injury Definition:
The World Health Organization’s definition of acquired brain injury
has been adopted in British Columbia:
Damage to the brain, which occurs after birth and is not related to
a congenital or a degenerative disease. These impairments may be temporary
or permanent and cause partial or functional disability or psychosocial
maladjustment (Geneva 1996)