The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #60860

Lindsay Lake Morgan, RN, GNP, PhD, Decker School of Nursing, Binghamton University, P. O. Box 6000, Binghamton, NY 13902-6000, 607-777-6812, lmorgan@binghamton.edu

In 1996, 35% of bicyclist deaths were in rural places, compared with a rural population of only 22.5%. In response to this alarming statistic, public health professionals need to give particular attention to rural people and bicycle safety. Rural adolescents require special consideration when designing interventions to prevent bicyclist injury. Recognition of rural sociocultural aspects in addition to adolescent developmental issues will result in interventions that have higher probability of success. This paper reviews the pertinent bicycle safety literature, adolescent development, and explores the rural landscape; combining them to propose implications for research and practice.

Learning Objectives:

• Upon completion of the session, the learner will be able to:
• - Identify safety risks of adolescent bicyclists
• - Identify rural considerations in bicyclist injury
• - Design research and programs specific to rural adolescent bicyclist safety issues

Keywords: Adolescent Health, Rural Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.