---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 280b–1c"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "280b–1c"
heading: "Prevention of traumatic brain injury"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/280b-1c"
units:
  - "Chapter 6A — Public Health Service"
  - "Subchapter II — General Powers and Duties"
  - "Part J — Prevention and Control of Injuries"
---

# §280b–1c. Prevention of traumatic brain injury

- (a) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c), acting through the [Director](/usc/42/11851.md?p=5) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, may carry out [projects](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2) to reduce the incidence of traumatic brain injury. Such [projects](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2) may be carried out by the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) directly or through awards of grants or contracts to public or [nonprofit](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=3) private entities. The [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) may directly or through such awards provide technical assistance with respect to the planning, development, and operation of such [projects](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2).
- (b) **Certain activities—** Activities under [subsection (a)](#a) may include—
  - (1) the conduct of research into identifying effective strategies for the prevention of traumatic brain injury;
  - (2) the implementation of public information and education [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) for the prevention of such injury and for broadening the awareness of the public concerning the public health consequences of such injury; and
  - (3) the implementation of a national education and awareness campaign regarding such injury (in conjunction with the [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) of the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) regarding health-status goals for 2020, commonly referred to as Healthy People 2020), including—
    - (A) the national dissemination of information on—
      - (i) incidence and prevalence; and
      - (ii) information relating to traumatic brain injury and the sequelae of secondary conditions arising from traumatic brain injury upon discharge from [hospitals](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=1) and emergency departments; and
    - (B) the provision of information in primary care settings, including emergency rooms and [trauma](/usc/42/300d–31.md?p=4) centers, concerning the availability of [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) level [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) and resources.
- (c) **Coordination of activities—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) shall ensure that activities under this section are coordinated as appropriate with other [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) of the Public Health [Service](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) that carry out activities regarding traumatic brain injury.
- (d) **“Traumatic brain injury” defined—** For purposes of this section, the term “traumatic brain injury” means an acquired injury to the brain. Such term does not include brain dysfunction caused by congenital or degenerative disorders, nor birth [trauma](/usc/42/300d–31.md?p=4), but may include brain injuries caused by anoxia due to [trauma](/usc/42/300d–31.md?p=4). The [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) may revise the definition of such term as the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) determines necessary, after consultation with [States](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) and other appropriate public or [nonprofit](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=3) private entities.

## Source credit

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title III, § 393B, formerly § 393A, as added Pub. L. 104–166, § 1, July 29, 1996, 110 Stat. 1445; amended Pub. L. 106–310, div. A, title XIII, § 1301(a), Oct. 17, 2000, 114 Stat. 1137; renumbered § 393B and amended Pub. L. 110–206, §§ 2(2), 3(a), Apr. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 714; Pub. L. 113–196, § 2(a), Nov. 26, 2014, 128 Stat. 2052.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 280b–1b of this title.

### Prior Provisions

Prior sections 393B of act July 1, 1944, were renumbered sections 393A and 393C and are classified to sections 280b–1b and 280b–1d, respectively, of this title.

### Amendments

2014—Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 113–196 substituted “2020, commonly referred to as Healthy People 2020” for “2010, commonly referred to as Healthy People 2010” in introductory provisions.

2008—Subsec. (b)(3)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 110–206, § 3(a), substituted “from hospitals and emergency departments” for “from hospitals and trauma centers”.

2000—Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 106–310, § 1301(a)(1), added par. (3).

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 106–310, § 1301(a)(2), substituted “anoxia due to trauma” for “anoxia due to near drowning” and inserted “, after consultation with States and other appropriate public or nonprofit private entities” after “Secretary determines necessary”.