Brain Injury Awareness Month

Categories:: Health
Tags:: Awareness Educational
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Every March
Holiday emoji:: 🧠

Brain Injury Awareness Month takes place every March in the U.S., shining a light on the profound impact of brain injuries. This observance aims to educate the public on prevention, promote research, and advocate for improved support systems for survivors. Join the movement to foster understanding and reduce the stigma associated with these life-altering conditions.

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Expected Brain Injury Awareness Month Deals

Throughout Brain Injury Awareness Month, expect to see various organizations and corporate partners collaborate on fundraising and awareness initiatives rather than traditional deals. The Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) often partners with companies for donation matching campaigns, while local rehabilitation centers like NeuroRestorative may host educational events. Apparel brands sometimes release cause-related merchandise, donating a portion of sales to brain injury research. Look for opportunities to round up purchases at checkout or participate in virtual walks and runs sponsored by foundations like LoveYourBrain. We will update this page with confirmed live campaigns as March approaches.

Platform Guide for Brain Injury Awareness Month

Tag National Today (linkedin.com/company/nationaltoday) and use #BrainInjuryAwarenessMonth. Share professional insights, research, or workplace support strategies.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #BrainInjuryAwarenessMonth. Share personal stories, join support groups, or promote local events.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #BrainInjuryAwarenessMonth. Share quick facts, news updates, or advocate for policy changes related to brain injury.

Brain Injury Awareness Month Hero

Dr. Bennet Omalu

Dr. Bennet Omalu is a Nigerian-American physician, forensic pathologist, and neuropathologist who discovered and published findings on chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in American football players. His groundbreaking work, initially met with resistance, brought critical attention to the long-term impact of head injuries in sports and beyond, fundamentally changing our understanding of brain trauma.

History of Brain Injury Awareness Month

The Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) has designated March to raise awareness about what is a significant cause of death and impairment in America. According to their site, there are more than 5.3 million people in the U.S., including children, who are living with permanent brain injuries. BIAA, therefore, hopes to spread awareness about the fact that brain injuries can lead to a permanent alteration of one’s life.

Brain injuries are classified into two broad categories if they are sustained after birth. In other words, when they are not related to birth or heredity, Acquired Brain Injury is a result of internal malfunctioning. This can be a tumor or lack of oxygen or some such condition that injures the brain. It is also called non-traumatic brain injury. Traumatic Brain Injury is a result of external force or impact.

Brain Injury Awareness Month seeks to shed light on various aspects of brain injury that BIAA tackles as its mission. Established in 1980 as the National Head Injury Foundation (NHIF), it changed its name to BIAA in 1995. It calls itself the oldest and biggest organization that works on the topic of brain injury in the U.S. It tackles various aspects of policy and advocacy, law and justice, and medical response and research as they relate to brain injury. It also works in the field of education, advocating for the inclusion of resources on brain awareness and injury prevention in schools, and even working with the U.S. Department of Education. March is used as a time to raise awareness about these broader, structural aspects that we may not think about when we think of brain injury.

Brain Injury Awareness Month timeline

6500 B.C.

Trepanation Is Performed

The practice of drilling holes in the skull, or trepanation, is used to treat brain injuries.

100 B.C.

Acupuncture Is Used

“The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine” is the first Chinese text to describe the system of acupuncture, which is now recognized for brain injury treatment.

1980

Brain Injury Statistics Are Released

For the first time in the U.S., the National Institutes of Health releases the results of their ‘National Head and Spinal Cord Injury’ survey.

1996

An Act Comes Into Effect

President Bill Clinton signs The Traumatic Brain Injury Act in 1996 to encourage research and development in the field.

How Businesses Can Celebrate Brain Injury Awareness Month

Local businesses can honor Brain Injury Awareness Month by hosting educational workshops on concussion safety or offering special discounts to brain injury survivors and caregivers. Healthcare providers can organize free screenings or informational sessions on prevention and recovery. Retailers might partner with local brain injury associations for donation drives, collecting funds or adaptive equipment. Restaurants could host ‘dine-to-donate’ events, contributing a portion of sales to support groups or research initiatives, fostering community support and understanding.

Brain Injury Awareness Month FAQs

When is Brain Injury Awareness Month?

In 2027, Brain Injury Awareness Month will again be observed throughout March, providing a renewed opportunity for advocacy, education, and community engagement across the nation.

How many people are affected by brain injuries?

Millions of Americans continue to be affected by brain injuries annually, with approximately 2.8 million new cases of TBI reported each year. This makes brain injury a significant public health concern requiring ongoing awareness.

What are the main causes of brain injury?

The primary causes of brain injury include falls, which are a leading cause, especially for the very young and elderly; motor vehicle accidents; assaults; and sports-related injuries. These incidents can lead to traumatic brain injuries of varying severity.

Is a concussion a type of brain injury?

Absolutely, a concussion is classified as a mild TBI, characterized by a temporary disruption of normal brain function. While often considered ‘mild,’ concussions still require proper diagnosis and management to prevent long-term complications.

How to Observe Brain Injury Awareness Month

Read about the topic
Organizations like BIAA have many online resources for the public, patients, and families on several topics such as brain injury types, prevention, treatment as well as legal options. There are even social media-friendly posters and documents that one can download and share from their site.
Find a local chapter
There are also state chapters of the BIAA in the U.S. The contact details are available on their site, so you can get in touch with them and find out more about their upcoming events and activities. You will also find statewide resources that you may want to share with someone or on social media platforms.
Learn policy priorities
There are policy changes that we can advocate for to reduce cases of traumatic brain injuries and support research for better treatment and care in the field. There is even a Congressional Task Force on the matter. This is the perfect time for us to learn how to be part of a larger change that can impact the lives of people.

5 Facts About The Brain That Will Astonish You

The 1990s and the brain
President George W. Bush designates the 1990s as the decade of the brain.
Most brain injuries are from falls
Almost half of all brain injuries (48%) are fall-related.
Fall-related deaths have increased
A study showed that fall-related deaths increased in older people from 2007 to 2016 and another showed an annual increase in 2020.
Men have higher fall rates
In the same study, it was seen that 73 out of 100,000 men had fall-related deaths as opposed to 54 for women, perhaps owing to differing occupational or domestic chores.
Brain awareness has a ribbon
Blue is the color of the ribbon designated for brain awareness.

Why Brain Injury Awareness Month is Important

It is a brainy topic
There is so much to learn about the brain, including how to protect it and care for it in case of trauma. The topic is vast and has real consequences for millions of Americans. March is an opportunity to raise our own awareness about the issue.
It is relevant to all of us
Some professions carry the risk of greater brain injury than others. However, this is an issue that could affect any of us in the wrong circumstance. We need to be equipped to protect our heads, prevent injury, and also be able to locate the right resources in case we need to in the event of an injury.
It’s a chance to advocate
Organizations like the BIAA have many resources to encourage aspiring fundraisers and general advocates to get started. They also have connections with different government departments. This is a topic that has received the government’s attention and is ripe for further progress.