March is National Brain Injury Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about brain injuries and highlight the importance of early recognition and treatment. Brain injuries are complex and life-altering, affecting each individual differently. With prompt medical care and proper support, however, recovery outcomes can significantly improve.
Each year, millions of Americans sustain brain injuries. Yet every person impacted is more than a diagnosis. Individuals living with brain injuries continue to have goals, careers, families, and aspirations. Raising awareness and improving understanding are critical to ensuring they receive the care and support they deserve.
“It’s crucial to seek immediate medical attention after a head injury to ensure the best possible recovery,” says Dr Badran Madani with Dignity Health Community Hospital of San Bernardino. “Recognizing symptoms early and acting quickly can significantly improve outcomes and reduce the risk of long-term complications.”
New Data Shows E-Bike Injuries Rising Sharply
Electric bicycles have surged in popularity across California and nationwide as convenient, climate-friendly transportation. However, recent national data reveals a concerning increase in serious injuries:
- E-bike–related emergency department visits increased more than 30-fold from 2017 to 2022.
- Head injuries rose approximately 49-fold, outpacing overall e-bike trauma.
- Only about 44% of injured riders were wearing helmets.
- Riders without helmets face a significantly higher risk of head injuries, with studies showing they are up to 6.6 times more likely to sustain a head injury and 8.3 times more likely to suffer a brain injury compared to helmeted riders.
- Studies also show e-bike crashes often result in more severe injuries than traditional bicycle crashes, likely due to higher speeds and heavier bike frames.
These findings underscore the urgency of prevention — not to discourage e-bike use, but to encourage safer riding practices. Physicians strongly recommend wearing a properly fitted helmet on every ride, regardless of age or distance traveled.
Prevention and Emerging Risks
Preventative measures, such as wearing seatbelts, using protective sports gear, and ensuring proper supervision for children — can significantly reduce the risk of traumatic brain injuries. But as transportation trends evolve, so do injury patterns.
Know the Warning Signs: Remember “HEADS”
Early detection is key. Recognizing the symptoms of a concussion or more serious brain injury can make a life-changing — and sometimes lifesaving — difference.
Physicians recommend monitoring for the following symptoms after a head injury:
H – Headaches or vomiting
E – Ears ringing
A – Amnesia, altered consciousness, or loss of consciousness
D – Double vision and/or dizziness
S – Something feels wrong or not quite right
If any of these symptoms occur, seek medical care immediately.
National Brain Injury Awareness Month is an opportunity to educate communities about prevention, recognize warning signs, and encourage immediate medical evaluation when injuries occur. Acting quickly after a head injury can save lives, reduce long-term disability, and help individuals return to the lives they value.
About Dignity Health California
Dignity Health California is a nonprofit network of over 9000 physicians, more than 35,000 employees, 29 acute care hospitals, and 200-plus care-centers, including community hospitals, urgent care, surgery and imaging centers, home health, and primary care clinics. Dignity Health California provides award-winning care to communities in five primary markets across the state: North State, Sacramento, Central Valley, Central Coast, and Southern California.
Dignity Health is a member of CommonSpirit Health, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit Catholic healthcare organizations, dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality, and affordable patient-centered care with special attention to the poor and underserved. Learn more at DignityHealth.org and CommonSpirit.org.