Why Is This Important?
Traumatic brain injury is a leading cause of death and disability in Utah, costing more than $189 million in hospitalization charges in 2022. During 2022, the age-adjusted rate of Utahns hospitalized due to a TBI was 6.9 per 10,000. Based on sampled 2016-2017 TBI cases, more than half (52.8%) of TBI hospitalizations and deaths are the result of a fall. Motor vehicle traffic crashes (13.4%) are the second leading cause of TBI hospitalizations and deaths in Utah.TBI hospitalization age-adjusted rates by sex, Utah, 2016-2022 |
Between 2016 and 2022, TBI hospitalization rates have remained fairly consistent. Male age-adjusted rates are higher than female age-adjusted rates for all years.
Data Sources
- Utah Inpatient Hospital Discharge Data, Healthcare Information & Analysis Programs, Office of Research & Evaluation, Utah Department of Health and Human Services
- For years 2010 and later, the population estimates are provided by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, Utah state and county annual population estimates are by single year of age and sex, IBIS Version 2023
Data Notes
ICD-10-CM codes for TBI Morbidity: S02.0, S02.1, S02.8X, S02.80, S02.81, S02.82, S02.91, S04.02, S04.03, S04.04, S06, S07.1, or T74.4 with a 7th character of A, B, or missing.
ICD-10 codes for TBI Mortality: S01, S02.0, S02.1, S02.3, S02.7-S02.9, S04.0, S06, S07.0, S07.1, S07.8, S07.9, S09.7-S09.9, T90.1, T90.2, T90.4, T90.5, T90.8, T90.9. These cases may include a TBI alone or in combination with other injuries or conditions. [[br]]
[[br]] Rates have been age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. population.Risk Factors
TBIs are most commonly caused by a fall, firearm-related injury, motor vehicle crash, or an assault. Falls are responsible for nearly half of TBI-related hospitalizations. Firearm-related suicide is the most common cause of TBI-related deaths in the United States.
TBIs affect the lives of people of all ages. Anyone can experience a TBI, but data suggest that some groups are at greater risk of dying from a TBI or experiencing long-term health problems after the injury. Examples of groups who are more likely to be affected by TBI, include: older adults, racial and ethnic minorities, service members and veterans, people who experience homelessness, people who are in correctional and detention facilities, survivors of intimate partner violence, and people living in rural areas.How Are We Doing?
The age-adjusted death rate of TBI in Utah in 2023 was 21.0 per 100,000 population. From 2018 to 2023, age-adjusted rates of TBI for both sexes have not changed significantly. In 2023, rates of TBI deaths were greater for males compared to females (32.6 to 9.6).
The age-adjusted hospitalization rate of TBI in Utah in 2022 was 6.9 per 10,000 population. This rate was lower than the previous year's rate of 7.1 per 10,000 population, but not significantly so. From 2018 to 2022, age-adjusted rates of TBI for both sexes have not changed significantly. In 2022, rates of TBI hospitalizations were greater for males compared to females (8.6 to 5.2).What Is Being Done?
The Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Violence and Injury Prevention Program (VIPP) receives funding from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to conduct TBI surveillance for the state of Utah. This is done through review of hospital discharge data, vital statistics data, and hospital records abstractions. These data are used to develop interventions and policies targeting those at highest risk (such as young people for motor vehicle incidents and the elderly for fall incidents).
Date Indicator Content Last Updated: 09/26/2024
