Systematic search and review of racial and ethnic differences in traumatic brain injury prevalence and incidence

Previous research suggests that some racial/ethnic groups are at increased risk for poor health outcomes following a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Less is known about the extent to which TBI prevalence and incidence vary by race/ethnicity. This paper presents results of a systematic search and review of TBI prevalence and incidence among US racial and ethnic groups.

Studies were included if they were peer-reviewed, included any prevalence or incidence measure of head injury (TBI and concussion) in a US population, stratified by race and/or ethnicity and included data collected within the last 20 years. Estimates were synthesised and described based on study outcomes and population types.

TBI prevalence and incidence varied by race and ethnicity across a range of population and outcome types. Past year self-reported prevalence of sports-related or recreation-related concussion ranged from about 11% to 40% and was generally highest among American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) high school students and lowest among Asian high school students. Similarly, rates of TBI-related deaths across the USA ranged from 7.7 per 100 000 population among Asian/Pacific Islanders to 29.0 among AI/AN individuals. Rates of abusive head trauma were generally higher among black children.

This review suggests the prevalence and incidence of TBI vary considerably by race/ethnicity and across different outcomes and populations examined. However, certain race/ethnicity groups, like AI/AN individuals, generally experience the highest frequency of TBI. Future research and interventions to help reduce TBIs among groups at increased risk for this injury may be warranted.