Program to Reduce Injuries Focuses On African-Americans, Hispanics
Injuries caused by motor vehicles are the leading cause of death among children in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control. The vast majority of these injuries and deaths are preventable. Yet among African-Americans and Hispanics, the statistics are even more alarming.
Among African-Americans:
- Children 5 to 9 years old are three times more likely to die in car crashes than Caucasian children.
- Children are 50 percent less likely to be buckled up than Caucasian children.
- Fatally injured children are less likely to wear a seat belt at the time of a crash than are Caucasians.
Among Hispanics:
- Children younger than 4 have the second-highest death rate from motor-vehicle crashes (after African-American children).
- Children 5-12 years old have a 72 percent higher death rate from motor-vehicle crashes than Caucasians.
- Per vehicle-mile traveled, children are three times more likely to die.
- Children are three times less likely to use child restraints and three times less likely to ride in the backseat of the vehicle.
- Despite fewer miles traveled, teenagers are twice as likely to die in motor-vehicle crashes than Caucasians.
Recognizing that something must be done about these disparities, pediatric trauma surgeons and injury-prevention coordinators at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center − along with help from Toyota − have developed an injury-prevention program to educate African-Americans and Hispanics about wearing seat belts, using child restraints (car seats) and adopting other safe behaviors.
The program is called Buckle Up for Life, or Abróchate a la Vida. Our mission is to teach people how to be safe in motor vehicles. We hope to save lives and promote healthier, safer lifestyles.
Faith-Based Approach
Our goal is to prevent motor-vehicle-related injury and death in the African-American and Hispanic populations through a comprehensive, culturally sensitive and faith-based approach. Buckle Up for Life is designed to raise awareness, to increase use of motor-vehicle restraints and to empower members of the African-American and Hispanic communities to live safer, healthier lives.
Early Results
We found improved safety habits after pilot programs at Hispanic and African-American churches.
