A legislative update from the Brain Injury Association of America:

As the House and Senate Appropriation Committees are working on conference negotiations for FY09 funding bills, BIAA joined a sign-on letter for increased funding of TBI programs. The timeline for action is unclear, but it appears the Democratic leadership wants FY 2009 appropriations bills on the President’s desk shortly after his inauguration on Jan. 20th.

BIAA also issued a Legislative Action Alert, urging supporters to contact their Congressional representatives and support increased funding for TBI programs.

BIAA also sent letters to newly elected Members of Congress explaining the massive national public health issue which brain injury represents and urging them to join the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new prevalence estimates for traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the United States. Reflecting the use of more conservative methodology, the CDC determined that although the annual incidence estimate has not changed (1.4 million individuals), the annual prevalence estimate for long-term TBI-related disability has decreased (from 5.3 million individuals to 3.2 million individuals).

BIAA reminded advocates, clinicians, researchers, policymakers and the public that the 3.17 million people living in the U.S. with a long-term disability need and deserve ongoing specialized rehabilitation, lifelong neurological disease management and individualized services and supports in order to maximize their health, independence and happiness.”

And let's not forget that the cost of pediatric brain trauma injuries is substantial....

At the request of the VA, the Institute of Medicine issued a report on “The Long-Term Consequences of Traumatic Brain Injury.” The IOM review of the scientific literature details numerous health effects associated with mild, moderate, and severe closed TBI.

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