Traumatic brain injuries in Alaska, 1996-1998.

Traumatic brain injuries often lead to severe disability or death. These injuries most often affect younger, more active people and are likely to have enduring physical, emotional, and financial costs. In order to determine the incidence, etiology and severity of traumatic brain injuries in Alaska, the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services has conducted a three-year study of the demographic and epidemiologic characteristics of traumatic brain injuries in Alaska. From 1996 through 1998, 1,932 hospitalized cases or out-of-hospital deaths occurred in the state among Alaska residents, for an average incidence rate of 105.2 per 100,000 population. To analyze the incidence of these injuries, the Traumatic Brain Injury Surveillance Project analyzed the location, demographics, and etiology.