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Be a Brain Warrior: Protect. Treat. Optimize.

The Department of Defense leads in the treatment and research of brain-related injuries and is committed to identifying breakthroughs to improve the lives of individuals who have sustained brain injuries. DOD’s efforts address a holistic view at brain health and brain injuries—before, during, and after any blast exposure or other injury.

The DOD considers protectingtreating, and optimizing brain health a top priority.

Evergreen Brain Injury Awareness image

TBI, considered one of the signature wounds of war in the 21st century, presents complex and challenging problems for many of our service members.

More than 490,000 service members have sustained TBI since 2000, according to reports from the Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence.

See below for TBI resources for health care providers, leaders, service members, veterans, families, and caregivers.

Protecting Brain Health

DOD promotes and protects the health and well-being of our nation's armed forces, dedicating significant resources to close gaps in knowledge about TBI. The Warfighter Brain Health Initiative, launched in 2022, brings together multiple resources across the department to optimize brain health. The plan combats TBI by addressing multiple concerns such as blast exposures, repetitive head impacts, and TBI’s long-term effects.

Symptoms of a TBI may reappear or worsen if military training and sports or recreational activities are resumed too quickly. If you are in a leadership role, understanding what to expect and what your responsibilities are will help ensure readiness for your service members. Know how to prevent injury, actively understand and encourage the importance of seeking care, and follow proper care guidance for a medically ready force.

Service members, veterans, families, and caregivers can all Be a Brain Warrior by learning how most TBIs are sustained, how to protect themselves, and how to manage symptoms should a TBI occur.

Treating Brain Health

Most people who sustain a mild TBI (also known as concussion) recover completely. Health care providers can Be a Brain Warrior by using the latest clinical tools to treat patients and improve outcomes, keeping up with the latest research, and following the Acute Concussion Care Pathway.

Be a Brain Warrior by seeking treatment for head injuries; most people recover from concussion. Know the signs and symptoms.

Optimizing Brain Health

Staying up-to-date on clinical tools, the latest research, and training and education by TBICoE educators are ways a military health care provider can Be a Brain Warrior.

Patients, their families, and caregivers can optimize brain health and overall health and Be a Brain Warrior by seeking medical care and maintaining stability through recovery with caregiver support. Check out TBICoE’s Patient and Family Resources page for TBI fact sheets, family and caregiver guides, and other patient resources.

More BIAM Events

For in-person and virtual events at the National Museum of Health and Medicine, check out the Brain Awareness Day and the virtual Science Café event information.

Brain Awareness Day Sat. March 16. Free for everyone. 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Virtual Science Cafe. Headache and TBI: The evolution of Medication. A virtual event held on the Facebook @medicalmuseum on March 28, 2024 at 11 a.m. ET.

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Fact Sheet
Oct 16, 2024

Low-Level Blast: Fact Sheet for Service Members

.PDF | 1.33 MB

TBICoE developed this fact sheet for service members to learn more about blast overpressure, low-level blast, and high-level blast exposures and what possible effects those exposures can have on their brain health. Service members should be aware of the potential effects of blast exposures, which occupations and heavy weapon systems are associated ...

Topic
Oct 16, 2024

TBICoE Podcasts

TBICoE produces multiple podcast series focused on various TBI-related topics. Listen to, subscribe to or download episodes on DVIDS or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Video
Oct 15, 2024

Talking Blast Exposure Impact With TBICoE

Talking Blast Exposure Impact With TBICoE

Can blast exposure impact the brain? TBICoE's Branch Chief, Dr. Katie Stout, explains. While some service members may experience blast exposure without an immediate diagnosable injury, there may still be effects on the brain. TBICoE is advancing blast exposure research to help assess risk and protect service members. To learn more, visit health.mil ...

Publication
Oct 8, 2024

Nov. 14, 2024, TBICoE QES Event: Optimizing Hearing and Vision Recovery Care

.PDF | 114.74 KB

Join TBICoE as we explore point of injury testing to help identify vision and hearing problems after a TBI. Subject matter experts will discuss available tools, therapy options, and current resources to maximize a patient's recovery of sensory systems.

Topic
Sep 30, 2024

Vision Center of Excellence

The Vision Center of Excellence leads and advocates for programs and initiatives with the following three inter-related goals: to improve vision health, optimize readiness, and enhance quality of life for service members and Veterans.

Article
Sep 18, 2024

New Intrepid Spirit Center for Fort Bliss, last to be built for NICoE

From left to right, Dr. Nicholas Asobo with William Beaumont Army Medical Center Traumatic Brain Injury Department, Lt. Col. Shannon Ford, Mr. Jason Rainey, Mr. David Winters, Col. Lee Freeman, commander of WBAMC, SSGT Spencer Milo, Dr. Sean Sebesta, director of TBI Department, WBAMC, Mr. Christopher Scott, patient advocate, WBAMC, and Ms. Lisa Yaconiello partake in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly opened Intrepid Spirit Center at Fort Bliss, on September 18, 2024 on the campus of WBAMC hospital. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Lauren Feick)

On September 18, 2024, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at William Beaumont Army Medical Center to celebrate the opening of the newly constructed Intrepid Spirit Center. The ceremony was celebrated with commemorative speeches and guided tours of the new building. The Ft. Bliss Intrepid Spirit Center is the last one to be built for the Defense ...

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Sep 5, 2024

Uniformed Services University Professor Dr. Michael Roy Receives $500,000 Grant for Blast Exposure Research

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Adrianna Williams, left, and U.S. Air Force Airman Madalyn Duke, 66th Security Forces Squadron entry controllers, wear female body armor during a training at Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, June 29.

Dr. Michael Roy, professor of medicine and deputy director of the military traumatic brain injury initiative at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, has been awarded a $500,000 grant from the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine to conduct research on the effects of blast exposure among military ...

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Last Updated: August 20, 2024
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