The Scope of Neurotrauma

Neurotrauma is one of the leading causes of death and disability throughout the world. In the U.S. it is the leading cause of death for people between the ages of one and 44. Most statistics from European countries confirm this to be the case there as well. The majority of severe and debilitating neurotrauma cases are the result of motor vehicle crashes. In developing countries neurotrauma is on the rise because of the increased use of motor vehicles and the attending increase in the number of motor vehicle crashes. This rising pattern of neurotrauma is often a result of poor roads, inexperienced drivers, less than crashworthy cars and the low use of seatbelts and child restraint systems. In addition, it is important to recognize that poor outcomes from neurotrauma (serious disabilities) incur substantial economic costs for expensive long-term care, as well as negatively impacting entire families for many years. For developing countries this can a have a substantial impact often unseen and not fully realized. The economic and devastating personal impact on countries and societies is why IGEH/INRO has taken the position that to improve the recovery of neurotrauma patients requires a comprehensive clinical and multi-pronged approach. We are not however, currently addressing the issues of prevention, namely educating and informing the public of ways to prevent and avoid neurotrauma injuries. We simply do not have the resources to do everything is this area and feel this might best be done by government public health agencies which can reach their populations with authority and impact. We however leave the door open for collaborating with public health agencies, and perhaps private funding sources, in the future.