© Photo: Susan Freundlich
The Traumatic Brain Injury Epidemic
Did you know? Female athletes sustain concussions at higher rates than male athletes.
3.8M
Concussions
in the US each year produced by sports and recreational injuries, according to the CDC.
70M
People
somewhere in the world will experience a TBI each year. Most of these are concussions or mild brain injuries.
38%
Increase
in concussion diagnoses in US emergency rooms from 2007 to 2011. One third were sports related.
One evening, when Seth was biking home, a collision threw him off his bike and into the windshield of an oncoming car. Fortunately, he was wearing a helmet. But the windshield shattered, and blood gushed from his eyebrow. He wanted to continue on his way, but bystanders suggested otherwise.
An ambulance took him to a familiar place, the very medical center where he was in his second year of medical school. They scanned him for injuries, stitched up his face and shoulder, and sent him home.
The next day, he felt worse. For weeks and months, he had headaches, dizziness, episodes of blurry vision, sensitivity to light and sounds, and other difficulties.
© Photo: Susan Freundlich
Reviews of Shaken Brain
A fascinating page turner. Propelled by Dr. Sandel’s exceptional storytelling and clinical expertise, Shaken Brain sheds light on the myths and misunderstandings surrounding concussions, and their consequential impact on so many lives.
Marilyn Spivack, cofounder and past President, Brain Injury Association of America
“A thoroughly engaging and enlightening account, this book explores the often perplexing issues and controversies surrounding post-concussion symptoms. A vital read.”
Mel Glenn, MD, Chief, Brain Injury Division, Spaulding Rehabilitation Network
“A valuable resource for patients who have experienced concussion and their families, as well as for the physicians, therapists, and scientists who have made it their life’s work to help them.”
John Leddy, Professor, Medical Director, Concussion Management Clinic, SUNY Buffalo
Latest Insights
Dr. Sandel maintains an active network with other leading brain injury experts. In this blog, she shares ground-breaking insights and fresh perspectives to help you navigate this complex condition and learn about common concussion symptoms.
Dr. Sandel’s talk at the University of Pittsburgh
On August 19, Dr. Sandel gave a talk to the PM&R residents, fellows, and faculty at the University of Pittsburgh, about the history of the medical specialty.
The site visit also included meetings with many of the faculty and trainees, and tours of the Human Engineering and Research Laboratories and the Rehabilitation and Neural Engineering Laboratories, where cutting edge biomedical and clinical research, and inventions to help people with disabilities have been ongoing for decades.
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Growth from the 1940s to 2025: The US Government’s Role
PM&R or physiatry, a very small medical field in the 1940s, seemed destined to remain small, if not disappear. Over time, the growth curve did become steeper. The US Government, beginning in the Progressive Era, was a significant contributor to that growth, directly and indirectly, benefiting people with disabilities of all ages .
Federal Funding for TBI Research, Education, and Prevention: Maybe Some Good News
In April 2025, devastating news emerged about CDC funding for TBI programs, with key staff positions eliminated and no federal TBI funding through reauthorization. However, this challenging period has shifted. On May 21, 2026, the House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced bipartisan legislation to reauthorize federal TBI program funding until 2029.
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