Action for Brain Injury Week & new ABI stats

[headwayuk]

Hi all,

It's ABI Week this week, and we've released our statistics into acquired brain injury (ABI) hospital admissions.

The results are extremely concerning, showing that brain injury admissions have risen by 10% since 2005-6. Here's a summary of some of the key findings:

- There were 348,934 UK admissions to hospital with acquired brain injury in 2013-14. That is 566 admissions per 100,000 of the population.

- ABI admissions in the UK have increased by 10% since 2005-6.

- There were approximately 956 ABI admissions per day to UK hospitals in 2013-14 - or one every 90 seconds.

- In 2013-14, there were 162,544 admissions for head injury. That equates to 445 every day, or one every three minutes.

- Men are 1.6 times more likely than women to be admitted for head injury. However, female head injury admissions have risen 24% since 2005-6.

- In 2013-14, there were 130,551 UK admissions for stroke. That is an increase of 9% since 2005-6 and equates to one every four minutes.

We hope these new stats will improve awareness of the condition, and assist in calling for improved care and support for people with brain injury.

You can find out more on our website, headway.org.uk/news/female-...

Alternatively, check out #ABIWeek on Facebook and Twitter.

Wear your hat for Headway!

Tomorrow (Friday 22nd May) is Hats for Headway Day!

It's a simple way to support Headway while having a little fun. All we ask you to do is wear a hat for the day (crazy/wacky headgear is always welcome) in return for a donation to Headway.

The best individual photo will win a great prize - a signed script from Coronation Street's 50th anniversary live show!

Find out more at headway.org.uk/hats-for-hea...

To enter the competition, share on Facebook or Twitter using #HatsForHeadway or submit your photos using the form on the above page. We look forward to seeing you in your finest headgear

As always, a big thanks to all of you for your support.

Best wishes,

Headway

[RogerCMerriman]

That is quite a increase does make me wounder why, over the entire population that's a big rise.

I suppose the question is it real or maybe how these things are recorded?

If it is a true increase that's a well huge increase and the reasons why need to be found.

[sporan in reply to RogerCMerriman]

Hi Roger,

The survay reports show the increases in admissions and diagnoses but don't seem to mention per head of population so I'm guessing some of the increase could be partially connected to population inrease depending on the criterior used and the numbers of migrants and their medical histories plus of course there are lifestyle factors, particularly I guess in stroke victims.

But as you say better recording and reporting may be part of it plus the better diagnostic techniques may account for part of the increase, that and better awareness of these condition from the great work by the valuable specialist charity groups like Headway.

[RogerCMerriman in reply to sporan]

population looks like the main, 0.7% per year over 10 years is 7% which is close to head injuries (6%) strokes (9%) and ABI (10%)

interesting that it's a rise in women, possibly due to it being more widely know/advertised, strokes that is.

[headwayuk Partner Headway in reply to RogerCMerriman]

Hi all,

Thanks for your interest in the stats. Headway didn't really highlight the figures per head of population because then it starts getting a bit too complicated for media purposes. However, if you look at the spreadsheets at headway.org.uk/statistics-r... you can see the rates per 100,000 of the population.

These rates have shown significant increases for many ABI types and in many regions. The rate for female head injury admissions in England has risen from 126 per 100,000 in 2000/01 to 192 per 100,000 in 2013/14. That's a 53% increase and shows that the overall rise in admissions can't be explained by the growing population.

I hope that clears things up for you a little bit. Unfortunately we can't explain why these increases have occurred. You are correct in thinking that improvements in recording procedures and acute management (more people being admitted due to the NICE guidelines) could be two of the contributing factors.

If anyone would like further information please feel free to contact me at [e-mail].

Thanks,

Richard

Publications and Research Manager, Headway UK.

[RogerCMerriman in reply to headwayuk]

okay that makes more sence so corrected for population.

ABI up 4%

Headinjury down -1%

stroke up 2%

what is interesting is not the totals, but women's headinjury which corrected is 19% which is huge jump, do we know if this is mirrored in other similar countries?

intresting it's much much worse if you exclude scotland and start at 2001 corrrected for population

ABI up 13%

headinjury up 20% women 49%!!!

stroke up 3%

but again women have some horrific stats.

clearly plenty of questions to make sence of the data.

[Matt2584]

The brain injury stats for ABIs are quite concerning indeed.

I say the main problem is because of the dangerous chemicals most people consume.