Racial disparities in motorcycle-related mortality: an analysis of the National Trauma Data Bank.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-1-2010

Identifier

DOI: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2009.07.047

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown racial disparities in outcomes after motor vehicle crashes; however, it is currently unknown if race impacts the likelihood of mortality after a motorcycle crash (MCC). The primary objective of this study was to determine if race is associated with MCC mortality.

METHODS: We performed a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of MCCs included in the National Trauma Data Bank between 2002 and 2006. Multiple logistic regression was used to adjust for age, sex, insurance status, year, helmet use, and injury severity characteristics.

RESULTS: Black patients had a 1.58 (95% confidence interval, 1.28-1.97) increased odds of mortality after a MCC, but were more likely to use a helmet (1.30; 95% confidence interval, 1.19-1.43) compared with their white counterparts (n = 62,840).

CONCLUSIONS: Black motorcyclists appear more likely to die after a MCC compared with whites. Although the reasons for this disparity are unclear, these data suggest that resources beyond encouraging helmet use are necessary to reduce fatalities among black motorcyclists.

Journal Title

American journal of surgery

Volume

200

Issue

2

First Page

191

Last Page

196

MeSH Keywords

Accidents, Traffic; Adolescent; Adult; African Americans; Aged; Craniocerebral Trauma; Cross-Sectional Studies; Databases, Factual; European Continental Ancestry Group; Female; Head Protective Devices; Health Status Disparities; Humans; Logistic Models; Male; Middle Aged; Motorcycles; Retrospective Studies; Young Adult

Keywords

Motorcycle; Brain Injury; Head Trauma; Death; Disparities; Inequality; National Trauma Data Bank; NTDB; Traffic Accident

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