Use of Motorcycle Helmets Reduces Mortality
Croce MA, Zarzaur BL, Magnotti LJ, Fabian TC
Ann Surg. 2009;250:390-394
What is the effect of motorcycle helmet laws on injury mortality? The authors used a national injury database to study the association between helmet use and outcome in 76,944 motorcycle injuries from 2002 to 2007. Of these patients, 76% wore helmets. Injuries were less severe and overall mortality was significantly lower in the helmeted group: 3.8% in helmeted patients compared with 6.7% in unhelmeted patients (P = .0001). There was no difference in the frequency of cervical spine injuries.
At present, 21 states have a universal helmet law, 27 states have a partial law (usually for younger persons), and 3 states have no helmet law. This large study clearly shows that helmet use is associated with reduced overall mortality. After adjusting for injury severity, helmet use reduced mortality by about 16%. Another substantial finding was that helmet use in these patients would have saved approximately 32.5 million dollars. This is especially important because a significantly higher number of unhelmeted patients had no insurance coverage (P < .0001).
Abstract
Impact of Motorcycle Helmets and State Laws on Society’s Burden: A National Study
Croce MA, Zarzaur BL, Magnotti LJ, Fabian TC
Ann Surg. 2009;250:390-394
Summary
What is the effect of motorcycle helmet laws on injury mortality? The authors used a national injury database to study the association between helmet use and outcome in 76,944 motorcycle injuries from 2002 to 2007. Of these patients, 76% wore helmets. Injuries were less severe and overall mortality was significantly lower in the helmeted group: 3.8% in helmeted patients compared with 6.7% in unhelmeted patients (P = .0001). There was no difference in the frequency of cervical spine injuries.
Viewpoint
At present, 21 states have a universal helmet law, 27 states have a partial law (usually for younger persons), and 3 states have no helmet law. This large study clearly shows that helmet use is associated with reduced overall mortality. After adjusting for injury severity, helmet use reduced mortality by about 16%. Another substantial finding was that helmet use in these patients would have saved approximately 32.5 million dollars. This is especially important because a significantly higher number of unhelmeted patients had no insurance coverage (P < .0001).
Abstract
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