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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Irwin A. Goldzweig, MS¹, Nathaniel Briggs, MD, MSc¹, and David Schlundt, PhD². (1) Family & Community Medicine, Meharry Medical College, 1005 D.B. Todd Blvd., Nashville, TN 37208, 615-327-6142, igoldzweig@mmc.edu, (2) Psychology, Vanderbilt University, 21st Ave So, Nashville, TN 37232

In 2004, Mississippi had the highest motor vehicle crash fatality rate in the country. In 2005, a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study showed Mississippi had the lowest prevalence of seatbelt use in the country. It was clear to researchers that lack of seatbelt use was contributing to the death toll on Mississippi roadways and that in states upgrading from secondary seatbelt laws (motorists can be cited by law enforcement officers only if stopped for another offense) to primary laws (motorists can be cited solely for violation of seatbelt laws) seatbelt use increased by 14% and crash fatalities decreased by 8%. However, primary legislation had failed repeatedly in Mississippi because legislators lacked scientific data to support the measure and because constituents' concerns about possible racial profiling under a primary law were inadequately addressed. During 2005, a coalition of >25 national, state and local organizations joined in a cooperative effort to facilitate passage of primary legislation. Scientific data were translated into educational materials and disseminated to legislators, constituents and community-based organizations to underscore the importance of primary laws. Coalition members including Meharry Medical College, National Conference of Black Mayors, Jackson State University, the Jackson Mayor's office, key legislative leaders and the Governor's office worked together continuously to address public health and profiling issues. In January 2006, Mississippi passed primary legislation, a lifesaving public health measure that might otherwise never have seen the light of day.

Learning Objectives:

• Attendees will learn how to apply science to public policy
• Attendees will learn how to work with community coalitions to impact public policy
• Attendees will understand the roles of facts, rational thinking and emotion in public policy

Keywords: Motor Vehicles, Collaboration

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation