Toward improved rehabilitation services for ethnically diverse survivors of traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injury is an important public health problem in the United States, especially for individuals from racial and ethnic minorities. The first part of this article provides a synthesis of findings and discussions of cultural issues in the rehabilitation, medical, and psychological scientific literature highlighting the needs and challenges of our diverse population of minority traumatic brain injury survivors in the United States. The second part offers practical recommendations for rehabilitation professionals who desire to improve the healthcare and health outcomes of these individuals. Through an examination of research, guidelines, and resources, we justify the importance of cultural sensitivity in everyday provider interactions with minority clients and their families.