Helmets and seat belts lower risk of damage to the brain
Every five minutes one person will die and another will become permanently disabled because of a traumatic brain injury. An estimated 1,165,000 children will require hospitalization following a traumatic brain injury, while one in 10 will live with moderate to severe impairments. Like the spinal cord, the brain does not repair itself. Any damage to the brain is likely to have lasting effects. Helmets, safety belts, air bags and car seats decrease the risk of brain injury and death. Simply wearing a bicycle helmet can reduce such injuries by 85%. Approximately 5.3 million Americans are disabled as a result of a brain injury. The average patient will pay upwards of $4 million to support ongoing medical care and related services during their lifetime. 61% percent of survivors will suffer from neurophysical disabilities such as seizures, loss of balance, speech impairments and headaches.
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