"A Resolution proclaiming April 2004 as Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Month"

Every 21 seconds someone in the United States will sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI); which equals more than 4,000 people daily. Of the 1,460,000 people annually who suffer these injuries, 50,000 will die while another 80,000 will experience life long disabilities associated with their injury.

In Alaska alone at least 600 people receive acute care for brain injuries, 150 Alaskans die, and another 190 experience the beginning of life long disabilities because of these injuries each year. These numbers can't be reduced by finding a "cure", but only through effective prevention of TBIs. It is for this reason we propose proclaiming April 2004 "Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Month".

Along with the Brain Injury Association of America, the Centers for Disease control, the Alaska Mental Health Trust and many others, we would like the citizens of Alaska to be aware of the effects of traumatic brain injuries and ways to prevent its occurrence. From use of seatbelts to bicycle helmets, there are many ways to prevent these tragedies from occurring. Nevertheless, only by making Alaskans aware of traumatic brain Injuries, their cause, and prevention can we lower the number of injuries and deaths caused each year.

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