According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, the annual incidence of spinal cord injury (SCI) is approximately 54 cases per one million people in the U.S., or about 17,900 new SCI cases each year.
The average age at injury has increased from 29 years during the 1970s to 43 years recently. About 78 percent of new SCI cases are male. Vehicle crashes are the most recent leading cause of injury, closely followed by falls. Acts of violence (primarily gunshot wounds) and sports/recreation activities are also relatively common causes.
SCI is an injury to the spinal cord that may affect motor, sensory and autonomic function often resulting in paralysis, loss of sensation, and autonomic dysfunction (such as blood pressure instability and disruptions in temperature regulation. People who sustain a spinal cord injury often have permanent and profound neurologic deficits and accompanying disability.
Increased education and investment in research are key factors in improving outcomes and enhancing the quality of life of all individuals with spinal cord injuries.
Join us in supporting the designation of September 2021 as National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month, support research to help find better treatments and therapies, support clinical trials for new therapies that offer promise and hope to individuals living with paralysis and commend the dedication of national, regional, and local organizations across the United States who are working to improve the quality of live of individuals living with spinal cord injuries and their families.
You can help by urging your Senators to co-sponsor the National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month Resolution.
United Spinal is committed to building an inclusive world by advocating for greater civil rights and independence for wheelchair users and all Americans impacted by SCI. We advocate to expand education and employment, improve enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act, ensure adequate access to public transportation and taxi services, and amend Medicare rules that restrict many individuals to their homes and nursing facilities.
Additional Resources
To learn more about SCI, visit https://unitedspinal.org/spinal-cord-injury-facts-and-figures/.
To learn how you can help United Spinal raise awareness about SCI, visit https://unitedspinal.org/spinal-cord-injury-awareness-month.