%0 Journal Article
%T Traumatic Brain Injury and Its Risk Factors in a Homeless Population.
%A Bennett N
%A Chung JS
%A Lundstern MS
%A Bymaster A
%J Arch Phys Med Rehabil
%V 0
%N 0
%D 2024 Aug 10
%M 39134235
%F 4.06
%R 10.1016/j.apmr.2024.07.017
%X <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>To characterize the traumatic brain injury (TBI) profile and its associated risk factors in homeless individuals in Santa Clara County, CA.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Observational cohort study.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Two homeless shelter health clinics in Santa Clara County, CA.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Currently or recently homeless individuals seeking health care at 2 homeless shelter health clinics between August 2013 and May 2014.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Not applicable.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Demographics, TBI incidence and characteristics.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>The findings indicate that TBI history in the homeless population was higher (79.7%) than in the general population (12%). Almost half of the population (49.2%) reported that their TBI occurred before the age of 18. Of the participants, 68.2% reported sustaining a TBI with loss of consciousness. TBI caused by violence (60%) was lower in this cohort than other homeless cohorts but was the main cause of injury regardless of age. Alcoholism was a risk factor for having more TBIs. No differences in TBI profile were found between sexes.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>Our findings underscore the need for more research on the lifetime risk factors associated with TBI to prevent and reduce the number of brain injuries in homeless populations.