@article{ref1,
title="Effects of repealing the motorcycle helmet law in Michigan",
journal="American journal of surgery",
year="2016",
author="Hothem, Zachary and Simon, Robert and Barnes, Wesley and Mohammad, Azmath and Sevak, Shruti and Ziegler, Kathryn and Iacco, Anthony and Janczyk, Randy",
volume="214",
number="3",
pages="407-412",
abstract="BACKGROUND: In 2012, Michigan repealed its universal helmet law. Our study assessed the clinical impact of this repeal. <br><br>METHODS: Our trauma database was queried retrospectively for 2 motorcycle riding seasons before and 3 seasons after repeal. On-scene death data was obtained from the Medical Examiner. <br><br>RESULTS: Helmet use in hospitalized patients decreased after the helmet law repeal. Non-helmeted patients had a significant increased rate of head injury. Non-helmeted patients were more likely to die during hospitalization. While, helmet use and drugs/alcohol status significantly affected the risk for head injury, only drug/alcohol had a significant effect on overall mortality. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Following helmet law repeal, helmet use has decreased. Helmet status and drug/alcohol use was found to significantly increase risk of head injury. Although overall mortality was only affected by drug/alcohol use, non-helmeted patients did have a higher inpatient mortality. These findings deserve furthermore study and may provide a basis for reinstating the universal helmet law.<br><br>Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0002-9610",
doi="10.1016/j.amjsurg.2016.09.052",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.amjsurg.2016.09.052"
}