141st APHA Annual Meeting

In This section

276162
Adverse motor vehicle crash outcomes in rural locations

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Christine Peura, BA , Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Maine Medical Center, Portland, ME
David E. Clark, MD MPH , Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Maine Medical Center, Portland, ME
Background/Purpose: Motor vehicle crash fatalities are consistently higher in rural locations. Although efforts at crash prevention are likely to be most cost effective, it is also important to consider factors that might affect mortality after an injury has occurred. The primary objective of the study was to validate previous findings from the National Automotive Sampling System – General Estimates System (NASS – GES). Another aim was to examine the factors that play a role in mortality after an individual has been injured in a rural crash. Methods: State level crash data were obtained from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration – State Data System (NHTSA-SDS). Logistic regression was used to estimate factors predicting 1) overall risk of death; 2) overall risk of severe injury; and 3) risk of death given severe injury. Models controlled for person, vehicle, crash and location specific variables. Results/Outcomes: Individuals in rural crashes had a significantly increased risk of death, increased risk of injury, and increased risk of death after being severely injured. Increased age, lack of a belt, ejection, high speed, and vehicle damage were also associated with increased risk in all models. Conclusions: Findings from NHTSA-SDS are generally similar to those obtained from NASS-GES. Overall results confirm previous findings that individuals in rural locations are more likely to die given severe injury. Further research is needed to explore post-crash factors that could contribute to this increased risk, such as distance from medical resources.

Learning Areas:
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Identify risk factors for motor vehicle related injuries and fatalities. List five factors that increase the risk of severe motor vehicle related injuries and/or fatalities for rural residents compared to urban residents.

Keywords: Rural Health, Injury

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been a research assistant on numerous federally funded grants focusing on motor vehicle related injuries. My work has been supervised by David Clark, MD, MPH, who has mentored me in the field of injury prevention. I am also working towards my Master’s in Public Health and have completed training in epidemiology and biostatistics.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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