Traumatic brain injury is more widespread than previously estimated

An estimated 54-60 million people worldwide sustain a traumatic brain injury every year, a new study indicates, about six times the previous estimate.1 Between 2.2 million and 3.6 million of the injuries are moderate to severe.

Traumatic brain injury is the leading cause of long term disability among children and young adults and cost an estimated $406bn (£250bn; €315bn) in the United States in 2000. It is projected to become the third largest cause of disease burden worldwide by 2020.

Earlier projections focused on acute injury where medical attention …