Traumatic Brain Injury in Culturally Diverse Populations

Abstract

This chapter highlights traumatic brain injury (TBI) and various health disparities within this population, particularly gaps related to patients from culturally diverse backgrounds. A review of three main health disparities is included, related to increased risk for sustaining a TBI, intervention barriers related to TBI, and long-term outcome after TBI. This chapter also evaluates how culture influences aspects of TBI intervention by exploring cultural considerations apparent in diverse populations. The chapter concludes with an examination of a case study based on an actual patient who sustained a TBI and details how his Native American culture impacted his healthcare choices and how his healthcare providers adapted intervention strategies given cultural influences unique to his clinical presentation.