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September 17, 2008
Natasha Wallace
Sydney Morning Herald

ASSAULT was the third most common cause of traumatic brain injury, accounting for more than 3000 hospitalisations in 2004-2005, an Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report has shown.

Brain Injury Australia highlighted the statistics to mark the start of brain injury awareness week on Monday.

"Brain injury is 10 times more common than spinal injury and results in, on average, three times the level of disability," said Nick Rushworth, the executive officer of Brain Injury Australia.

Mr Rushworth said about two-thirds of people with brain injuries will experience changes in behaviour, including the inability to control impulses, and verbal and physical aggression.

The institute report, Hospital Separations Due To Traumatic Brain Injury, Australia 2004-05, said traumatic brain injury was a major cause of hospitalisation, disability and death in Australia.

In 2004-2005, it caused at least 22,700 hospitalisations and about 980 deaths, costing the health system $184 million.