The role of the helmet in the prevention of traumatic brain injuries.
Today, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) exceed 1 million cases per year. Tens of thousands of people die and hundreds of thousands of people are hospitalized. The health care costs exceed US dollars 50 billion. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that people with mild TBIs who are not hospitalized add another US dollars 17 billion to the total dollars spent on care. These high frequencies and costs place a high priority on programs and procedures to minimize the number of injuries and to reduce the severity of those that occur. One of these programs focuses on the protective devices worn by the people that work and play in environments where there is an identified risk of TBI. Because these environments cover a wide variety of activities, the design and effectiveness of these protective devices must be specific to the nature of the activity and the person they are designed to protect.
Powell
John W
JW
Athletic Training Education, 105 IM Sports Circle, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA. powellj4@msu.edu
Dompier
Thomas P
TP
D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006260:Head Protective Devices; D006801:Humans