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.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Received in revised form:
July 8,
2009
Received:
May 26,
2009
Footnotes
The authors have no competing interests.
Identification
Copyright
© 2010 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
