Head injuries: two new publications from Santé publique France
Head injuries are typically caused by accidents in daily life, traffic, or the workplace—most of which could have been prevented with appropriate safety measures. Epidemiological data (incidence, risk factors, distribution in the population, severity, patient outcomes, individual and societal costs, etc.) on head injuries are difficult to synthesize due to differences in the methods used. Santé publique France publishes a review of the scientific literature on the subject as well as a report analyzing data from the Rhône Registry (2005–2014) regarding head injuries caused by traffic accidents.
Head injuries result in death or significant physical and psychological sequelae, and each year they marginalize tens of thousands of people, leading to job loss, loss of housing, and the breakdown of social and family relationships. Their medical and social care is extremely costly, both in human and financial terms. Existing studies in France do not provide national incidence and prevalence rates.
The summary of scientific publications released by the Agency highlights several key findings. It shows that the majority of studies rely on hospital administrative databases and report incidence rates ranging from 100 to 300 per 105,000 people per year, with approximately 80% of head injuries classified as “mild.” It also notes an underestimation of TBI in the studies reviewed and a fairly detailed description of at-risk groups: men, young children (0–4 years), young adults (15–24 years), and those aged 65 and older. Among young children and young adults, TBI is one of the leading causes of death and disability. The causes of TBI vary by age and are associated with varying levels of TBI severity and mortality. Two causes predominate: falls, especially among the elderly, and traffic accidents, especially among the young. An increase in head injuries among the elderly has been observed, while among the young, the incidence of head injuries tends to decrease, largely due to advances in road safety.
Traffic accidents are one of the leading causes of head injuries (HI), particularly the most severe ones. They affect a young population, resulting in years of life lost or lived with disabilities. This is the subject of the second report by Santé publique France, which provides new data and indicates that head injuries were cut in half over the 1996–2014 period, largely due to road safety policies implemented in France since 2002, particularly the introduction of speed cameras. More work remains to be done regarding vulnerable road users (cyclists and pedestrians, the elderly), particularly in promoting the use of protective gear. In this regard, an initial measure was implemented in France in March 2017 making bicycle helmets mandatory for children under twelve.
Santé publique France is conducting further research on this topic. National and regional incidence data are available on Géodes, Santé publique France’s mapping observatory.
