Prevalence of traumatic brain injury among the guests at a low-barrier homeless shelter

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Authors

Nicholas Ang, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine Medical Student
Jason Wasserman, Corewell Health East

Description

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a significant public health concern, characterized by disruption of normal brain function due to head trauma, with common causes including automobile accidents, athletic injuries, and assault. TBI accounts for a substantial portion of injury-related deaths worldwide and is a leading cause of neurological disability. However, there's considerable variability in defining and measuring TBI, complicating prevalence comparisons. Studies indicate varying rates, with a particularly high prevalence among individuals experiencing homelessness, potentially due to increased vulnerability to trauma. The cognitive impairments associated with TBI, often manifesting years later, pose challenges, especially for marginalized populations like the homeless, who may face barriers to treatment and social integration. The relationship between TBI and homelessness is complex, with evidence suggesting bidirectional causality. Despite this, research on TBI within specific homeless subpopulations, such as those utilizing low-barrier shelters, remains limited. This study aims to address this gap by examining TBI prevalence among clients of a low-barrier homeless shelter and investigating the temporal relationship between TBI and homelessness.

Publication Date

5-2024

Disciplines

Bioethics and Medical Ethics

Recommended Citation

Ang N, Wasserman J. Prevalence of traumatic brain injury among the guests at a low-barrier homeless shelter. Poster presented at: Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine Embark Capstone Colloquium; 2024 May; Rochester Hills, MI.

Comments

The Embark Capstone Colloquium at the Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Rochester Hills, MI, May, 2024.