Issues in the prevention of neurotrauma.

Over one half of all neurotrauma occurs in or by motor vehicles. The other causes of neurotrauma are falls, violent assaults, sports and recreation, and firearms. The victims who survive are left with paralysis, disfigurement, loss of sight and hearing, seizures, epilepsy, psychiatric disorders, amnesia--in short, significant and often permanent impairment. To permanently prevent this annual human destruction, the prevention agenda should include advocating for air bags in all cars, helmet use for all motorcyclists, the elimination of handguns, and the regionalization of all trauma care. After this is accomplished, we can continue working on preventing other neurotrauma problems.