Resources for
Traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injury



The following materials were created prior to the merger between the Utah Department of Health (UDOH) and the Utah Department of Human Services (UDHS). These materials are only available upon request


The Timed Up & Go (TUG) one-pager outlines a simple mobility assessment to evaluate fall risk in older adults, requiring only a stopwatch and a chair. It also highlights the effectiveness of the Otago fall prevention program, showing an average 4-second improvement in TUG times and a reduction in self-reported falls after the program​.

The Falls Among Older Adults, Utah 2018 report reveals that falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths and hospitalizations among Utahns aged 65 and older. Every week, 200 older adults in Utah are injured severely enough from falls to seek emergency treatment, and three die from fall-related injuries.

The Falls Among Older Adults collateral highlights that individuals aged 85 and older have the highest rates of fall-related injuries and hospitalizations in Utah. Falls are the leading cause of injury-related death among Utahns aged 65 and older, with nearly one-third reporting at least one fall in the past year.

The Sports and Recreation-related Traumatic Brain Injuries in Utah, 2013-2014 factsheet highlights that 80% of sports-related TBIs occurred among males, with children aged 0-14 most commonly affected. Recreational activities accounted for 25.3% of TBI hospitalizations, and 80% of those injured in skateboard, snow sports, or OHV/ATV incidents were not wearing helmets at the time of their injury.

The Transportation-related Traumatic Brain Injuries in Utah, 2013-2014 factsheet reveals that 21.5% of TBI hospitalizations were due to transportation incidents, with motor vehicle crashes accounting for 61.1% of these cases. The report also highlights that 66.7% of transportation-related TBIs occurred among males, with the highest prevalence among those aged 15-24​.

The Concussion Fact Sheet 2019 highlights that 61% of concussions in Utah schools occur among male students, with most happening during lunch recess or PE class. The fact sheet also notes that 80% of Utah schools require staff training on concussions, and students cannot return to play after a concussion until cleared by a medical professional​.