2020 Highlights of Pennsylvania's Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Board: Programs, Activities, and Supports

2020 Highlights of Pennsylvania’s Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Board Programs, Activities and Supports The Department of Health (Department) formed the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Advisory Board (Board) in 2000 to support the responsibilities essential to the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) Planning and Implementation Grant process, which became the Administration for Community Living (ACL) TBI State Partnership Grant. The Board is comprised of a variety of stakeholders representing: State agencies and offices; TBI programs and providers; as well as people who have sustained a TBI and family members. The Department has continued to support the Board while utilizing HRSA and Administration for Community Living (ACL) funding for other TBI programming. Pennsylvania Statistics: ■ 209,880 people are living with brain injury related disabilities; ■ 138,600 adults and children sustain a brain injury every year; ■ 1,980 die from brain injuries each year; ■ 11,088 are hospitalized each year after a brain injury; ■ 15,840 are seen in the Emergency Room following a brain injury each year; and ■ 17,107 Pennsylvania children (19 or under) have sports-related brain injuries. Is TBI Preventable? More than 85% of all TBIs can be prevented by one of the following: ■ Seat belts are 57% effective in preventing traumatic and fatal brain injuries; ■ Properly fitted helmets reduce the risk of brain injuries by 88%; ■ Over half of all brain injuries are related to alcohol and drug abuse; and ■ Nearly 20% of all older adult falls result in a brain injury. Head Injury Program The Head Injury Program (HIP) was created in 1988 by the Emergency Medical Services Act of 1985 and pays for head injury rehabilitation services for people with a TBI who qualify. Enrolled individuals may receive up to 12 months or $100,000 for rehabilitation