Motor Vehicle Accident Fatalities Trends, Puerto Rico 2000-2007

• NCJ Number: 236195
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 56 Issue: 5 Dated: September, 2011 Pages: 1222-1226
• Author(s): Magdalena Lopez-Charneco, M.S.; Maria S. Conte-Miller, M.D.; Francisco Davila-Toro, M.D.; Enid J. Carcia-Rivera, M.P.H., M.D.; Diego E. Zavala, Ph.D.; Yisel Torres, M.P.H.; Jose F. Rodrigquez Orengo, Ph.D.
• Date Published: September 2011
• Length: 5 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study accessed the mortality trends of Motor vehicle accident fatalities (MVAF)in Puerto Rico from 2000 to 2007.

Abstract

Motor vehicle accident fatalities (MVAF) are an important cause of death that affects millions of people worldwide. Using the Puerto Rico Institute of Forensic Science database, this study accessed the mortality trends of MVAF in Puerto Rico from 2000 to 2007. Descriptive statistics, age-adjusted mortality rates, geographical analysis, and annual percentage change were calculated. An annual mean of 559 MVAF occurred during the study period. The overall MVAF mortality rate declined from 2000 to 2007 (16.6 and 12.4 per 100,000 population, respectively)-mortality rates annually decreased 3 percent. Most MVAF (80.2 percent) occurred in men, showing a risk four times higher than women (23.6 and 5.4 deaths per 100,000 populations, respectively). Drivers aged 20-24 years and pedestrians older than 75 years had the highest risk of death. This study emphasizes the need of public health efforts to focus on the prevention of MVAF in the most affected groups. (Published Abstract)