Introduction
This report provides data on annual incidence of traumatic brain injuries
(TBIs) in New Jersey. The prevalence of TBI cannot be estimated with data
currently available. According to one recent national estimate, about
70,000 persons have head injuries that are classified as moderate to severe
annually.1 Persons with moderate to severe
TBI will live the rest of their lives with a combination of cognitive,
behavioral, and emotional deficits, and will require long-term rehabilitation
services. Currently, there are little data on the impact of mild TBI on
normal function, and population-based state level data on the survivors'
disability level or the capacity to return to normal life are not collected.
Until recently, the ability to develop and evaluate injury prevention
programs has been limited due to incomplete reporting of external cause-of-injury
(e.g., motor vehicle-related or assaults). The NJDOH implemented E code
reporting of all injury-related admissions beginning with the calendar
year 1994. Using the existing sources of data within the NJDOH, a TBI
surveillance system was developed under CDC guidelines.2
Data from 1994 and subsequent years will provide a source of information
for public health surveillance, prevention and evaluation specific to
traumatic brain injuries. Maintaining an ongoing surveillance system is
essential to monitoring progress towards New Jersey's health objectives.3,4
While there are no legislative requirements regarding reporting of TBI
in New Jersey, there is a New Jersey Advisory Council on Traumatic Brain
Injury, established by Governor Christine Todd Whitman under Executive
Order 84 in 1998.5 Chaired by the Commissioner
of the Department of Human Services, the Council consists of state officials
as well as public members appointed by the Governor, including survivors
of traumatic brain injuries or their family members, and representatives
of health-related organizations. The purposes of the Council are to: 1)
advise and make recommendations on ways to improve services for traumatic
brain injuries; 2) encourage citizen participation through the establishment
of public hearings and community outreach and prevention activities; 3)
encourage and stimulate research and prevention activities; and 4) oversee
any programs created under federal Public Law 104-166.
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