Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
Weekly / Vol. 69 / No. 9 March 6, 2020
Brain Injury Awareness Month —
March 2020
Brain Injury Awareness Month, recognized each
March, provides an important opportunity to bring
attention to the prevention of traumatic brain injury
(TBI) and to promote strategies to improve the quality
of life for persons living with TBI and their families.
TBIs, caused by an impact or force to the head or body
or a penetrating injury to the head, affect millions of
U.S. persons each year (1). Falls are a leading mechanism
of TBI, and older adults are at increased risk for sus-
taining a TBI and experiencing TBI-associated adverse
outcomes (1,2). A report in this issue of MMWR found
a nationwide 17% increase in the rate of fall-related
TBI deaths during 2008–2017, with increases in most
states (3). The largest increases in fall-related TBI deaths
occurred among persons aged ≥75 years.
Evidence-based prevention efforts to decrease falls are
important to reducing the incidence and prevalence of
TBI among older adults. CDC’s STEADI (Stopping
Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries; https://www.cdc.
gov/steadi/index.html) initiative includes resources and
tools for health care providers to improve identification
of patients at risk for a fall, as well as effective strategies
to reduce the risk for fall-related injuries, including TBI.
References
1. CDC. Surveillance report of traumatic brain injury-related
emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and deaths—
United States, 2014. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services, CDC; 2019.
2. Taylor CA, Bell JM, Breiding MJ, Xu L. Traumatic brain injury-
related emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and
deaths—United States, 2007 and 2013. MMWR Surveill Summ
2017;66(No. SS-9). https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.ss6609a1
3. Peterson AB, Kegler SR. Deaths from fall-related traumatic brain
injury—United States, 2008–2017. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly
Rep 2020;69:225–30.
Deaths from Fall-Related Traumatic
Brain Injury — United States,
2008–2017
Alexis B. Peterson, PhD
1
; Scott R. Kegler, PhD
1
One in 10 U.S. residents aged ≥18 years reports falling each
year (1). Among all age groups, falls can cause serious injury
and are the second leading cause of traumatic brain injury
(TBI)–related deaths (2). TBI is a head injury caused by a
bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body or a penetrating head
injury that results in disruption of normal brain function.*
CDC estimated national and state-specific rates and trends
for TBI-related deaths (TBI deaths) caused by unintentional
falls (fall-related TBI deaths) among U.S. residents during
2008–2017, by selected decedent characteristics. The national
age-adjusted rate of fall-related TBI deaths increased by 17%
INSIDE
231 Student-Reported School Safety Perceptions,
Connectedness, and Absenteeism Following a
Multiple-Fatality School Shooting — Broward
County, Florida, February 14–21, 2018
236 E-cigarette, or Vaping, Product Use–Associated Lung
Injury Among Clusters of Patients Reporting Shared
Product Use — Wisconsin, 2019
241 Intervention To Stop Transmission of Imported
Pneumonic Plague — Uganda, 2019
245 Active Monitoring of Persons Exposed to Patients
with Confirmed COVID-19 — United States,
January–February 2020
247 Notes from the Field: Monkey Bite in a Public Park and
Possible Exposure to Herpes B Virus — Thailand, 2018
249 QuickStats
Continuing Education examination available at
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/mmwr_continuingEducation.html
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
* https://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/index.html.
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
226 MMWR / March 6, 2020 / Vol. 69 / No. 9 US Department of Health and Human Services/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The MMWR series of publications is published by the Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, GA 30329-4027.
Suggested citation: [Author names; first three, then et al., if more than six.] [Report title]. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020;69:[inclusive page numbers].
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Robert R. Redfield, MD, Director
Anne Schuchat, MD, Principal Deputy Director
Chesley L. Richards, MD, MPH, Deputy Director for Public Health Science and Surveillance
Rebecca Bunnell, PhD, MEd, Director, Office of Science
Arlene Greenspan, PhD, Acting Director, Office of Science Quality, Office of Science
Michael F. Iademarco, MD, MPH, Director, Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services
MMWR Editorial and Production Staff (Weekly)
Charlotte K. Kent, PhD, MPH, Editor in Chief
Jacqueline Gindler, MD, Editor
Mary Dott, MD, MPH, Online Editor
Terisa F. Rutledge, Managing Editor
Douglas W. Weatherwax, Lead Technical Writer-Editor
Glenn Damon, Soumya Dunworth, PhD, Teresa M. Hood, MS,
Technical Writer-Editors
Martha F. Boyd, Lead Visual Information Specialist
Maureen A. Leahy, Julia C. Martinroe,
Stephen R. Spriggs, Tong Yang,
Visual Information Specialists
Quang M. Doan, MBA, Phyllis H. King,
Terraye M. Starr, Moua Yang,
Information Technology Specialists
MMWR Editorial Board
Timothy F. Jones, MD, Chairman
Michelle E. Bonds, MBA
Matthew L. Boulton, MD, MPH
Carolyn Brooks, ScD, MA
Jay C. Butler, MD
Virginia A. Caine, MD
Katherine Lyon Daniel, PhD
Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH, MBA
David W. Fleming, MD
William E. Halperin, MD, DrPH, MPH
Jewel Mullen, MD, MPH, MPA
Jeff Niederdeppe, PhD
Patricia Quinlisk, MD, MPH
Patrick L. Remington, MD, MPH
Carlos Roig, MS, MA
William Schaffner, MD
Morgan Bobb Swanson, BS
from 2008 to 2017. Rate trends at the national level increased
significantly for nearly all decedent characteristics, with the
most notable increases observed among persons living in
noncore (i.e., most rural), nonmetropolitan counties and those
aged ≥75 years. Analysis of state-specific rate trends determined
that rates of fall-related TBI deaths increased significantly in
29 states over the 10-year study period. A fall can happen to
anyone of any age, but falls are preventable. Health care provid-
ers and the public need to be aware of evidence-based strate-
gies to prevent falls, given that rates of fall-related TBI deaths
are increasing. Health care providers can educate patients on
fall and TBI prevention, assess their risk for falls, and when
needed, encourage participation in appropriate evidence-based
fall prevention programs.
National Vital Statistics System multiple-cause-of-death
database on death certificates filed in 50 states and the
District of Columbia (DC) were analyzed to determine the
incidence of fall-related TBI deaths among U.S residents by
year, decedent characteristics (sex, age group, race/ethnicity,
and urban/rural residence classification status
§
), and state of
residence. To identify cases, an initial screen for International
Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) underlying-
cause-of-death codes in the range W00–W19 was performed,
indicating an unintentional fall as the underlying cause of
https://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/pdf/falls/cdc_falls_
compendium-2015-a.pdf.
§
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/series/sr_02/sr02_166.pdf.
death. A fall-related death was further identified as a TBI
death when any of the ICD-10 multiple-cause-of-death codes
indicated a TBI-related diagnosis (2).
Study years 2008–2017
were selected to support estimation of 10-year national and
state-specific trends.
Annual death rates and accompanying 95% confidence
intervals (CIs) were calculated per 100,000 population by
integrating the National Vital Statistics System data with U.S.
bridged-race population estimates.** With the exception of
age-group rates, death rates were age-adjusted to the U.S. year
2000 standard age distribution. National and state-specific rate
trends of fall-related TBI deaths were modeled using Joinpoint
regression software (version 4.6.0.0; National Cancer Institute)
to estimate average annual percent changes (AAPCs) for the
10-year study period. AAPCs were considered statistically
significant at
α=0.05.
During 2008–2017, the national age-adjusted rate of fall-
related TBI deaths increased by 17%, from 3.86 per 100,000
persons to 4.52 (Table 1), representing 17,408 fall-related
TBI deaths in 2017. State-specific age-adjusted rates ranged
from 2.25 (Alabama) to 9.09 (South Dakota) during 2017
(Figure). Considering only the study endpoint years (2008
and 2017), the number of fall-related TBI deaths increased
TBI injury-related diagnosis codes identified by ICD-10 include S01.0–S01.5,
S01.7–S01.9, S02.0–S02.1, S02.3, S02.7–S02.9, S04.0, S06.0–S06.9, S07.0–
S07.1, S07.8–S07.9, S09.7–S09.9, T90.1–T90.2, T90.4–T90.5,
T90.8–T90.9.
** https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/bridged_race.htm.
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
MMWR / March 6, 2020 / Vol. 69 / No. 9 227
US Department of Health and Human Services/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
TABLE 1. Number* and rate
of traumatic brain injury–related deaths caused
by unintentional falls — United States, 2008–2017
§
Year No. of deaths Rate (95% CI)
2008 12,311 3.86 (3.80–3.93)
2009 12,804 3.94 (3.87–4.01)
2010 13,386 4.05 (3.98–4.12)
2011 13,632 4.02 (3.95–4.09)
2012 14,272 4.12 (4.05–4.19)
2013 15,064 4.26 (4.19–4.33)
2014 15,918 4.40 (4.33–4.47)
2015 16,258 4.42 (4.35–4.49)
2016 16,694 4.44 (4.37–4.51)
2017 17,408 4.52 (4.45–4.59)
Abbreviation: CI=confidence interval.
* Numbers exclude decedents with unknown age.
Deaths per 100,000 population, age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard
population; decedents with unknown age were excluded.
§
Based on multiple-cause-of-death data from the National Center for Health
Statistics (NCHS) Vital Statistics System (https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/
deaths.htm) and NCHS Bridged-Race Population data (https://www.cdc.gov/
nchs/nvss/bridged_race.htm).
in 49 of 51 jurisdictions (50 states and DC), and correspond-
ing age-adjusted rates increased in 45 of these 49 jurisdic-
tions (Supplementary Table, https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/
cdc/85245). The largest AAPCs in rates of fall-related TBI
deaths occurred in Maine (6.5%), South Dakota (6.1%), and
Oklahoma (5.2%). A significant increase in rates occurred
in 29 states (Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut,
Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland,
Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada,
New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon,
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota,
Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin). The remaining
21 states and DC experienced no significant change in rates.
During 2017, national rates of fall-related TBI death were
highest among persons aged ≥75 years (54.08 per 100,000)
and males (6.31) (Table 2). Notably, the rate among persons
aged ≥75 years was approximately eight times higher than that
among those aged 55–74 years (6.24), and the rate among
males was nearly double that of females (3.17). For the period
2008 to 2017, significantly increasing rate trends in fall-related
TBI deaths were identified for both males and females, persons
aged ≥55 years, non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic blacks,
and Hispanics, and across all levels of urbanization. The
largest modeled rate increases occurred among persons living
in noncore nonmetropolitan counties (AAPC=2.9%) and
those aged ≥75 years (AAPC=2.6%). The only significantly
decreasing national rate trend identified was for persons aged
0–17 years (AAPC=−4.3%).
Discussion
Nationally, nearly 17,500 fall-related TBI deaths occurred
during 2017, and state-specific age-adjusted rates ranged from
Summary
What is already known about this topic?
Falls can cause serious injuries, including a traumatic brain
injury (TBI). Unintentional falls represent the second leading
cause of TBI-related death.
What is added by this report?
The national age-adjusted rate of fall-related TBI deaths
increased by 17% from 2008 to 2017; rates increased signifi-
cantly in 29 states and among nearly all groups, most notably
persons living in noncore nonmetropolitan counties and those
aged ≥75 years.
What are the implications for public health practice?
Health care providers can educate patients about falls and TBIs,
assess fall risk, and encourage participation in evidence-based
fall prevention programs. Annual wellness visits might serve as
a time to review previously assessed fall risk factors and update
personalized prevention plans.
2.25 (Alabama) to 9.09 (South Dakota). The rate of this health
event significantly increased during 2008–2017 in 29 states,
and the national rate increased by 17%. This increase in the
national rate of fall-related TBI deaths is consistent with find-
ings from a recent CDC surveillance report that estimated a
22% increase in this health event during 2006–2014.
††
Variations in the rate of fall-related TBI deaths among states
might have partially resulted from urban and rural differences
in the risk of traumatic injury mortality (3). U.S. rural regions
experience a higher rate of TBI-related mortality (4), and het-
erogeneity in the availability and accessibility of resources (e.g.,
access to high-level trauma centers and rehabilitative services)
can result in disparities in post-injury outcomes (5). Over
the 10-year study period, noncore, nonmetropolitan counties
experienced the most rapidly increasing rates. These results are
consistent with previous findings of higher TBI-related mor-
tality rates among nonmetropolitan counties compared with
those in metropolitan counties across the United States (4).
During 2017, the rate of fall-related TBI deaths was higher
among males; this finding might result from circumstances
of the falls, such as a higher proportion of men falling from
heights (e.g., ladders) (6) leading to moderate or severe injuries,
including a TBI. The highest rate of fall-related TBI deaths
in 2017 was among adults aged ≥75 years, and over the study
period, this group experienced the largest increase in rates
among all age groups, consistent with older age being a major
risk factor for falls (7). CDC’s Stopping Elderly Accidents,
Deaths, & Injuries (STEADI)
§§
initiative can aid health care
providers in screening older patients for risk for falls, assessing
††
https://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/data/tbi-deaths.html.
§§
https://www.cdc.gov/steadi/.
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
228 MMWR / March 6, 2020 / Vol. 69 / No. 9 US Department of Health and Human Services/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
FIGURE. Age-adjusted* rate of traumatic brain injury–related deaths caused by unintentional falls, by state
— United States, 2008 and 2017
Wyoming
North Dakota
Colorado
South Dakota
Washington
Wisconsin
Vermont
Utah
Arizona
Montana
Nebraska
New Mexico
Hawaii
Rhode Island
Maryland
Ohio
Pennsylvania
Minnesota
Mississippi
West Virginia
Missouri
Georgia
Virginia
Kansas
Michigan
Oregon
Illinois
Massachusetts
Iowa
Maine
North Carolina
Oklahoma
Idaho
Tennessee
Connecticut
Texas
New Hampshire
Florida
N
evada
California
South Carolina
Arkansas
New York
Delaware
Kentucky
Louisiana
Indiana
New Jersey
Alabama
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Deaths per 100,000 population
2008
2017
* Age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population.
Forty-nine states; Alaska and the District of Columbia not shown because total case count was <20.
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
MMWR / March 6, 2020 / Vol. 69 / No. 9 229
US Department of Health and Human Services/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
TABLE 2. Numbers* and rates
of traumatic brain injury–related deaths caused by unintentional falls, by decedent characteristics — United
States, 2008 and 2017
§
Characteristic
2008 2017
2008–2017 rate trend
AAPC (95% CI)No. of deaths Rate (95% CI) No. of deaths Rate (95% CI)
Total 12,311 3.86 (3.80 to 3.93) 17,408 4.52 (4.45 to 4.59) 1.8
(1.5 to 2.1)
Sex
Male 7,129 5.49 (5.36 to 5.62) 10,180 6.31 (6.19 to 6.44) 1.6
(1.3 to 2.0)
Female 5,182 2.69 (2.61 to 2.76) 7,228 3.17 (3.09 to 3.24) 1.9
(1.5 to 2.4)
Age group (yrs)**
0–17 75 0.10 (0.08 to 0.12) 54 0.07 (0.05 to 0.09) −4.3
(−7.6 to −0.9)
18–34 304 0.43 (0.38 to 0.48) 295 0.39 (0.34 to 0.43) −1.1 (−3.0 to 0.8)
35–54 1,241 1.43 (1.35 to 1.51) 1,137 1.37 (1.29 to 1.45) −0.3 (−1.2 to 0.5)
55–74 2,855 5.22 (5.03 to 5.41) 4,470 6.24 (6.05 to 6.42) 1.8
(1.4 to 2.3)
≥75 7,836 42.89 (41.94 to 43.83) 11,452 54.08 (53.09 to 55.07) 2.6
(2.0 to 3.2)
Race/Ethnicity
††
White 10,501 4.09 (4.01 to 4.17) 14,472 4.90 (4.82 to 4.98) 2.1
(1.7 to 2.4)
Black 581 1.99 (1.82 to 2.16) 844 2.29 (2.13 to 2.45) 1.6
(0.2 to 3.1)
AI/AN 68 4.13 (3.08 to 5.18) 121 5.16 (4.20 to 6.11) 1.0 (−1.9 to 4.1)
A/PI 361 3.61 (3.22 to 3.99) 645 3.68 (3.39 to 3.97) 0.3 (−0.7 to 1.3)
Hispanic 777 3.23 (2.98 to 3.48) 1,282 3.51 (3.31 to 3.71) 1.2
(0.3 to 2.0)
Not stated 23 NA
§§
44 NA
§§
NA
§§
Level of urbanization
Large central metro 3,320 3.77 (3.64 to 3.90) 4,604 4.31 (4.18 to 4.44) 1.4
(1.2 to 1.6)
Large fringe metro 2,946 3.90 (3.76 to 4.05) 4,051 4.31 (4.17 to 4.44) 1.4
(0.5 to 2.3)
Medium metro 2,673 3.96 (3.81 to 4.11) 3,889 4.72 (4.57 to 4.87) 2.1
(1.5 to 2.7)
Small metro 1,181 3.76 (3.54 to 3.97) 1,791 4.76 (4.54 to 4.98) 2.2
(1.4 to 3.1)
Micropolitan (nonmetro) 1,292 4.10 (3.87 to 4.33) 1,793 4.98 (4.75 to 5.22) 2.1
(1.5 to 2.8)
Noncore (nonmetro) 899 3.65 (3.41 to 3.89) 1,280 4.60 (4.34 to 4.86) 2.9
(2.5 to 3.4)
Abbreviations: AAPC=average annual percent change; AI/AN=American Indian/Alaska Native; A/PI=Asian or other Pacific Islander; CI=confidence interval;
NA = not available.
* Numbers exclude decedents with unknown age.
Per 100,000 population, age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population; rates exclude decedents with unknown age.
§
Based on multiple-cause-of-death data from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) Vital Statistics System (https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/deaths.htm)
and NCHS Bridged-Race Population data (https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/bridged_race.htm).
Statistically significant at α=0.05.
** Age group rates are not age-adjusted.
††
Whites, blacks, AI/ANs, and A/PIs were non-Hispanic; Hispanics could be of any race.
§§
Accompanying rates are not available because of lack of corresponding population denominator data.
modifiable risk factors, and intervening to reduce risk using
effective interventions. Health care providers might consider
prescribing exercises that incorporate balance, strength and
gait activities, such as tai chi, and reviewing and managing
medications linked to falls (8). Actions the public can take to
prevent falls include talking to their health care provider about
their or their parents’ risk for falls, performing strength and
balance exercises, having an annual eye exam, and making the
home safer (e.g., removing tripping hazards).
The findings in this report are subject to at least three limita-
tions. First, estimated annual rates and trends in rates of fall-
related TBI deaths might be affected by misclassification or
incomplete reporting of the cause of death on death certificates,
which could lead to overestimation or underestimation of this
health event (9). Second, misclassification of race and ethnicity
on death certificates is a common occurrence, particularly for
American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian/Pacific Islander, and
Hispanic populations and could lead to an underestimation
of deaths among these populations (10). Finally, in cases of
multiple trauma, non-TBI diagnoses might have also contrib-
uted to deaths included in the analysis.
A fall can happen to anyone of any age and can cause serious
injuries, including a TBI. Although falls are preventable, the
public should be aware that fall-related TBI deaths are increas-
ing in many states as well as nationally. Nationally, this increase
might be explained by longer survival following the onset of
common diseases such as stroke, cancer, and heart disease
¶¶
or
be attributable to the increasing population of older adults***
in the United States. In older adults, evidence-based fall pre-
vention strategies can prevent falls and avert costly medical
expenditures (8). Additional research is needed to determine
the magnitude of medically treated falls that could be prevented
¶¶
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/
S002243750600051X?via%3Dihub.
*** https://www.census.gov/prod/2014pubs/p25-1140.pdf.
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
230 MMWR / March 6, 2020 / Vol. 69 / No. 9 US Department of Health and Human Services/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
and direct medical costs that could be averted by employing
evidence-based fall prevention strategies in other age groups.
Nonetheless, annual wellness visits might serve as a time to
focus on previously assessed risk factors for falls and to update
personalized prevention plans.
Corresponding author: Alexis Peterson, AP[email protected], 770-488-0767.
1
Division of Injury Prevention; National Center for Injury Prevention and
Control; CDC.
All authors have completed and submitted the International
Committee of Medical Journal Editors form for disclosure of potential
conflicts of interest. No potential conflicts of interest were disclosed.
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