Brainweek 2026 - Wearing a Helmet Can Save Lives

Traumatic Brain Injury: Common, Severe – and Often Preventable Every year, around 20,000 people are treated in Swiss hospitals for traumatic brain injuries; 5,000 of these are moderate to severe. The consequences are often serious – physically, psychologically, and socially. For those under 45, traumatic brain injuries even rank among the leading causes of death. They are caused by falls, traffic, sports, or work-related accidents, as well as assaults. Targeted prevention could significantly reduce these numbers – and the associated healthcare costs.

Wearing Helmets Protects – But is Still Underutilized Helmets, therefore, play an indispensable role in protecting the brain. According to a 2024 survey by the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention (bfu), wearing a helmet reduces the risk of head injury in bicycle accidents by about 50% and severe head injury by up to 70%. Nonetheless, in 2025, only just over half (56%) of cyclists in Switzerland wore a helmet. This shows that public awareness of the risks and potential lifelong consequences – particularly on short bicycle rides – is still insufficient.

When Life Changes Suddenly As a national contact point for people with brain injuries and their relatives, FRAGILE Suisse is well aware of the challenges faced by traumatic brain injury survivors. These can be physical, cognitive, or psychological impairments – as experienced by Stefanie F., who suffered a traumatic brain injury and brain hemorrhage after a bicycle accident without a helmet and has since struggled with concentration difficulties and sensory overload. As a result, she can no longer work in the hospitality industry. "I have to learn to welcome the new Stefanie – even if she can no longer do everything as before."

Nationwide Awareness for More Prevention FRAGILE Suisse launches the prevention campaign "Protect Your Brain – Protect Your Life!", which focuses on helmet-wearing from March to May. The goal is to sensitize the population to brain protection and promote preventive behavior sustainably through various measures. This also includes specific activities for construction workers, who are particularly at risk of traumatic brain injuries at work.

Filler Ads In line with the campaign, FRAGILE Suisse has also released new filler ads on the subject of wearing helmets. By publishing these free ads, the media can support the prevention campaign.

Events by the Regional Associations of FRAGILE Suisse for Brainweek 2026

- FRAGILE Aargau/Solothurn East is present today and tomorrow with a booth at the Brainweek of the Aarau Cantonal Hospital.
- FRAGILE Basel has an information stand at the Brainweek in the University Hospital Basel from Monday to Friday, before and after the lectures.

Media Contact
Viviane Kauflin-Lyoth
Head of Communication, Marketing and Fundraising
FRAGILE Suisse
Badenerstrasse 696
8048 Zurich
Email: kauflin@fragile.ch
Phone: 044 360 30 69
Various experts and affected individuals are available for interviews upon request. We look forward to your contact.

Editor's note: Image rights belong to the respective publisher. Image rights: Fotoagentur SINUS, Aarau/Schweiz / Photographer: Markus J. Hässig