The UAA Center for Human Development researches and educates about brain-injuries, disabilities and mental illness
The University of Alaska Anchorage Center for Human Development recognized Brain Injury Awareness Month throughout March by hosting events, talks, seminars, and even a high school brain trivia competition. Each of these events had the goal of increasing awareness of the severity of brain injuries. Alaska currently leads the nation in brain injury-related deaths.
Danielle Reed, Director of Community Services at the Center for Human Development, discussed their objectives as part of Brain Injury Awareness Month as well as what makes Alaska such a leader in deaths related to the issue.
Reed explained that CHD is “a university center for excellence in developmental disability.” The CHD is one of around 60 in the nation but is the only one in Alaska. Some of their focuses are developmental disabilities, brain injuries and mental illness.
Brain injuries come in lots of different forms. Reed described traumatic injuries, often the result of falls, crashes or assaults, and non-traumatic injuries, such as a stroke or an overdose. While most people can rehabilitate and recover after brain injuries, untreated injuries or repeated injuries can cause permanent issues.
The CHD is focusing on educating the public about these issues because understanding the risks and the indicators of a brain injury can allow individuals access to the resources and support they need to recover.
An important distinction drawn by Reed is that Alaska leads the nation in brain injury-related deaths, not necessarily brain injuries. While she described “a lot of potential for falls” in our “active population,” the central statistic of leading in deaths might be an indicator of a different issue.
Though there isn’t any direct studies proving this, Reed speculated that a few of the reasons for Alaska’s difficulty with brain injury-related deaths is a lack of awareness and recognition, as well as a lack of treatment infrastructure. Alaska doesn’t have a level one trauma center, so patients with life-threatening brain injuries have to be transported out of state.
This issue is only exacerbated by the size of the state, as Reed stated patients in rural communities are looking at “a more lengthy rescue time.”
Though March has concluded, and most of the events tied to Brain Injury Awareness Month have passed, some of the talks and seminars hosted by CHD can be viewed as an archive from the event schedule hosted on the UAA website. CHD will also be involved with Springfest on April 22, discussing domestic violence and partner-inflicted brain injuries.
More information about the University of Alaska Anchorage Center for Human Development can be found on their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/alaskachd/
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