Around 13 percent, or one in eight, of older Americans have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury (TBI), most likely as a result of falls from ground level. “The number of people 65 and older with TBI is shockingly high,” Dr. Raquel Gardner, senior author of the study, said in a news release.
Contrary to previous studies, this study’s findings indicated that people who were white, female, healthier, and wealthier were more likely to be diagnosed with a TBI. Led by Erica Kornblith, the research team followed 9,200 Medicare enrollees whose average age was 75. Just over half were female, and 84 percent were white.
After analyzing health care claims, the team found that 64 percent of the women and 89 percent of white people suffered traumatic brain injuries. Furthermore, the researchers noted that traumatic brain injuries were more common among higher-income individuals, while they occurred in just 22 percent of those in the lowest quartile of wealth. “It’s possible that our findings reflect that adults who are healthier, wealthier and more active are more able or likely to engage in activities that carry risk for TBI,” Ms.
Kornblith said in the press release. Study participants who were diagnosed with traumatic brain injury were less likely to have trouble with activities such as bathing, walking, and getting out of bed. They were also more likely to have normal cognitive function.
“While most TBIs in older people occur from falls at ground level, if you are i.
