Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) poses a significant public health challenge in the United States, with diverse causes and outcomes. Understanding the trends in TBI-related mortality is crucial for effective prevention and intervention strategies. This comprehensive analysis utilized data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (CDC WONDER) database, covering the period from 1999 to 2020. Cause-of-death records were examined using the 10th Edition of the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems diagnostic code S06 for TBI-related fatalities. Mortality rates were calculated per 100,000 individuals, adjusted for age and urban/rural status. Joinpoint Regression analysis was employed to identify significant trends over time. Between 1999 and 2020, 1,218,667 TBI-related deaths occurred, with varying mortality rates across demographic groups and geographic regions. Within the overall population, the highest annual average mortality rates were observed in the non-Hispanic (NH) American Indian or Alaska Native cohort, followed by NH white, NH black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, and NH Asian or Pacific Islander groups. Overall, there was an initial decrease in mortality rate from 1999 to 2012, followed by a subsequent significant increase. Males consistently exhibited higher mortality rates than females across all age groups. Disparities were also observed based on race/ethnicity, with NH American Indian or Alaska Native populations showing the highest mortality rates. Regional variations were evident, with the southern region consistently exhibiting the highest mortality rates. Evolving trends in TBI-related mortality in the United States highlight the need for targeted interventions, particularly in high-risk demographic groups and regions.