1.4 million people sustain traumatic brain injuries (TBI) each year in the United States.  It’s an annual incidence that is higher than those of Breast Cancer, Multiple Sclerosis, Spinal Cord Injury and HIV/AIDS combined.  Brain injury is the signature injury of the War in Iraq and Afghanistan, a leading cause of death and disability among young people, and a growing risk for older Americans.  Yet, brain injury is still sometimes referred to as the silent epidemic.

 

Why silent?  This is because public recognition of brain injury has historically been extremely low, and because the effects of brain injury are often not easily discernible.  Visible or not, brain injury is always unexpected and life-changing, and brain injury is all around us.  It is the damage done by a car crash, a concussion, a blast injury, a beating, an aneurism, a tumor, or any other trauma to the brain. 

Public awareness of brain injury benefits us all.  For those affected by brain injury, greater public awareness can pave the way toward necessary life-long supports and services and a better quality of life.  For people who are fortunate not to have been touched by brain injury, greater public awareness can help them prevent it. 

While all of our programs foster greater awareness, the Brain Injury Association of New Jersey has some specific programs geared to increase awareness of brain injury among the general public. 

Walk For Thought / Cycle For Safety

New Jerseyans join together every October to walk, cycle, roll and stroll for the cause of brain injury. More...

Brain Injury Awareness Month

Every March New Jersey and the rest of the country recognize the need for brain injury awareness through related events and activities. More...

Media Outreach

The Association recognizes the importance of a larger voice in reaching the general public, and supplies press and media with the information they need to cover brain injury-related stories. More...

Prevention Programs

Prevention is only possible among an aware public, and so all of the Association’s prevention programs involve both public information and prevention education. More...