Although injuries are the second leading cause of death among American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs), little is known about non-fatal injuries in this population. This study describes the causes and impact of one type of injury- traumatic brain injury (TBI) on AI/ANs using Indian Health Service (IHS), tribal or contract hospital discharge data.

*Between 1992-1996, IHS, tribal, or contract care hospitals recorded 4,491 TBI-related hospitalizations among AI/ANs with an average length of stay of 4.7 days. Males had almost three times as many TBIs as females.

*The major causes of hospitalizations for TBI were motor vehicle collisions (24%), assaults (17%), and falls (16%). These findings indicate that falls contribute to TBI among AI/AN almost as much as assaults.

*Among AI/ANs age 15-24, motor vehicle collisions were the most common cause of TBI. For young adults 25-34 years and 35-44 years, assaults were the most likely cause of TBI, although only 5% of cases involved firearms. For youth 0-14 years and adults 45 years and older, falls were the leading cause of injury.

*The highest number of hospitalized TBIs among AI/ANs were found in the Northern Plain states and Alaska.

*In a previous CDC study, the Navajo Nation has shown that enactment and enforcement of a mandatory seat belt law led to increases in seat belt use and a 29% reduction in motor-vehicle-related injuries among Navajo Nation residents.

CDC protects people's health and safety by preventing and controlling diseases and injuries; enhances health decisions by providing credible information on critical health issues; and promotes healthy living through strong partnerships with local, national, and international organizations.

Contact: CDC, National Center for Injury
Prevention and Control
(770) 488-4902