Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #116002

David G. Schlundt, PhD¹, Sheila Easley, MS², Irwin Goldzweig, MA², and Keith Hinch³. (1) Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt University, 301 Wilson Hall, Nashville, TN 37203, (615) 322-7800, david.schlundt@vanderbilt.edu, (2) Center for Optimal Health, Meharry Medical College, 1005 D.B. Todd Blvd., Nashville, TN 37208, (3) National Conference of Black Mayors, 1151 Cleveland Avenue,Bldg D, East Point, GA 30344

To examine racial disparities in seatbelt use, observations were conducted at controlled intersections in four cities participating in the Metropolitan Urban Demonstration project. Major intersections were randomly selected in 10 African American and 10 White census tracts in Atlanta, Columbus, Jackson, and Memphis. Trained observers, using PDAs, coded vehicle type, driver and passenger race, sex, age (less than 25 or 25 and older), and use of shoulder belts. Data were analyzed using binary logistic regression to predict seatbelt use. Overall rates of seatbelt use were 69% for drivers (n=16,885) and 59% for passengers (n=13,586). For drivers, there were significant effects for city (p<0.0001), vehicle type (p<0.0001), gender (p<0.0001), location of observation (p<0.0001), and race (p<0.0001). Compared to Atlanta, seatbelt use was lower in Columbus (OR 0.39; 95% CI 0.35-0.43), Jackson (OR 0.16; 0.15-0.18), and Memphis (OR 0.69; 0.62-0.75). Compared to cars, seatbelt use was lower in pickup trucks (OR 0.57; 0.51-0.64). Females drivers were restrained more often than males (OR 1.71; 1.58-1.84) older drivers more than youth (OR 2.40; 2.19-2.63), and rates were higher in white neighborhoods (OR 1.44; 1.31-1.58), and clinics (OR 1.22; 1.04-1.43). Compared to Blacks, restraint use was higher in Whites (OR 1.27; 1.16-1.38). Similar results were observed for passengers. When additional locations are sampled to observe urban African American drivers and passengers, disparities in seatbelt use are also noted. Programs need to target increasing seatbelt use in African Americans, especially among youth, males, and drivers of pickup trucks and SUVs.

Learning Objectives:

• To discuss health disparities in seatbelt use.
• To identify additionial risk factors for low rates of seatbelt us.

Keywords: African American, Underserved Populations

Related Web page: www.meharry.org/ms/

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.