Because Health Care is a Right, Not a Privilege

Cognitive Impairments and Traumatic Brain Injury

Content Manager: Brenda Proffitt, MHA

TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY IN A HOMELESS MALE
Traumatic Brain Injury in a Homeless Male is one in a series of Homeless Health Care Case Reports developed by the HCH Clinicians' Network in an effort to share practice-based experience. March 2008

HIDDEN TRAUMA: STUDIES CITE HEAD INJURIES AS FACTOR IN SOME SOCIAL ILLS
Brain Researchers Link Mental Woes, Alcoholism to Long-Ago Blows | New research suggests that hidden traumatic brain injuries can cause social or educational failure, such as alcoholism or homelessness. If broadly verified, the findings could have a significant impact in dealing with these difficulties | WSJ's Tom Burton talks with researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York for some insight | View the related video, Hidden Cause of Social Problems | The Wall Street Journal | January 29, 2008 | Page A1

TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY (TBI)
"Traumatic brain injury (TBI), caused either by blunt force or acceleration/deceleration forces, is common in the general population. Homeless persons are at particularly high risk of head trauma and adverse outcomes to TBI. Even mild traumatic brain injury can lead to persistent symptoms including cognitive, physical, and behavioral problems. It is important to understand brain injury in the homeless population so that appropriate referrals to specialists and supportive services can be made. Understanding the symptoms and syndromes caused by brain injury sheds light on some of the difficult behavior observed in some homeless persons. This understanding can help clinicians facilitate and guide the care of these individuals."

The above paragraph is from the introduction to the chapter on TBI that appears in The Health Care of Homeless Persons by the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program. Written by Carol A. Waldmann, MD, the chapter discusses prevalence and distribution, causes, diagnosis, neuropsychiatric sequelae of TBI and management.

HEALING HANDS ARTICLES ON COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENTS & TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY ADDITIONAL RESOURCES