Women Less Likely to Receive “Life-Changing” TBI Care, Ontario Study Finds

Women with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) are 26% less likely than men to be admitted for trauma care in Ontario, according to a new study.

The findings, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal on June 15, 2026, examined a decade of data from more than 55,000 adult patients admitted to hospital for a TBI across the province.

“[The trend our Ontario study revealed] is consistent, and strong enough, that we actually have to pay attention to it,” Dr. Natalia Angeloni, a critical care physician who’s currently completing her doctorate at the University of Toronto, told CBC News.

“Our study covers the whole definition of a traumatic brain injury, from the mildest to the most severe.”

Multiple experts have praised Angeloni and the rest of the research team for investigating sex-based differences in TBI care, noting the following:

• Trauma care shortly after a TBI can be “life-changing.”
• There could be “unconscious bias” among health-care professionals working in fast-paced emergency departments.

IMPORTANT: The study looked at age, underlying health conditions, and the severity of the brain injury. It didn’t compare what caused individual patients’ injuries.

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Disability Benefits for Traumatic Brain Injuries in Ontario

A TBI can have a profound impact on an individual’s ability to perform their job duties — even with appropriate treatment.

For Ontarians who aren’t able to work, short-term disability (STD) and long-term disability (LTD) benefits can provide a crucial financial lifeline.

How These Benefits Help

• STD: Provides temporary financial support for individuals unable to perform their job duties.
• LTD: Offers income replacement for individuals unable to return to work for an extended period of time.

To qualify for STD or LTD benefits, medical documentation is essential to demonstrate how your condition prevents you from working.

Sadly, insurance companies often deny legitimate LTD claims — including in cases involving TBIs — adding unnecessary stress to an already difficult situation.

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Disclaimer: The materials provided in this article are for general informational purposes only and DO NOT constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your situation, please consult a legal representative at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP.