@article{ref1,
title="Motor vehicle crash fatalities among Hispanics in rural North Carolina",
journal="Academic emergency medicine",
year="2003",
author="March, J. A. and Evans, Meredyth A. and Ward, B. and Brewer, Kori L.",
volume="10",
number="11",
pages="1249-1252",
abstract="OBJECTIVES: Deaths from motor vehicle crashes  (MVCs) have decreased significantly over the past three decades. Unfortunately,  few data have been collected regarding death rates for MVCs in minority  populations. The purpose of this study was to compare the death rate of whites  versus Hispanics for MVCs in a rural environment. METHODS: This study examined  one rural county in North Carolina from January 1, 1999, to December 31, 1999. A  retrospective cohort study was performed using the North Carolina State Highway  Patrol computerized database of MVCs. Data regarding the total number of MVCs,  fatalities, alcohol-related deaths, seatbelt usage, and cause of the collision  were analyzed for both whites and Hispanics. Census information regarding  population in this region also was obtained from the U.S. Bureau of Census. Data  were analyzed using a chi-square test, with an alpha value of 0.05 used to  establish statistical significance. RESULTS: During the study period, whites  were involved in 2,689 MVCs, compared with 158 MVCs for Hispanics. Whites were  involved in ten fatal MVCs, compared with seven fatal MVCs involving Hispanics.  The percent of fatal MVCs for whites was 0.3%, or 10 deaths per 2,689 MVCs. In  contrast, the percent of fatal MVCs for Hispanics was 4.4%, or 7 deaths per 158  MVCs; odds ratio (OR) = 12.4, 95% CI = 4.7 to 33.1. The 2000 Census Report for  Pitt County noted a white population of 81,613 and a Hispanic population of  4,216. Based on these population data, the death rate for MVCs per 100,000  population was 12.3 for whites versus 166.0 for Hispanics, OR = 13.6, 95% CI =  5.2 to 35.6. Although the cause for this disparity was not determined, previous  studies suggest that alcohol and decreased seatbelt usage are contributing  factors. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the death rates among Hispanics for rural  MVCs were significantly higher than for whites. The causes of this disparity are  not clear but are important to define. Only by understanding this disparity can  we begin to develop appropriate interventions that may prevent these  deaths.",
language="",
issn="1069-6563",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}