title: Traumatic brain injury in North Carolina: the state of the state today.
abstract: This issue brief provides an overview of the "state of the state" for traumatic brain injury (TBI) issues and challenges in North Carolina. A previous issue of the North Carolina Medical Journal discussed this topic approximately 14 years ago, and this issue brief showcases changes and advances since that time. Collectively, articles in the current issue highlight the current epidemiology of TBI; the rapidly advancing and critical topic of concussions; special populations where TBI is seen more frequently, such as elderly individuals and veterans; advances in TBI-related treatments; and the all-important family perspective on TBI. Additionally, this issue brief discusses key developments and advances in the state related to a statewide needs assessment; legislative and policy actions, including a new sports concussion awareness act and a significantly revised definition of TBI as it relates to special education classification; and ongoing exploration of evidence-based community services that have the potential to improve our system of care for adults with TBI. Finally, ongoing challenges are detailed with the intention of pushing the state to become one of the nation's leaders in TBI services.
authors: Departments of Allied Health Sciences and Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA. Stephen_hooper@med.unc.edu.
authors: Stephen R
authors: SR
authors: Hooper
authors: North Carolina Brain Injury Advisory Council, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.
authors: Carol
authors: C
authors: Ornitz
authors: Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.
authors: Janice K
authors: JK
authors: White
authors: Lash and Associates Publishing/Training, Youngsville, North Carolina, USA.
authors: Marilyn
authors: M
authors: Lash
authors: Wake County Public Health, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.
authors: Elizabeth
authors: E
authors: Newlin
authors: Exceptional Children Division, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.
authors: Lynn
authors: L
authors: Makor
authors: Brain Injury Association of North Carolina, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.
authors: Sandra
authors: S
authors: Farmer
mesh_terms: D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D009657:North Carolina / Q000453:epidemiology; D011640:Public Policy