Bicycle helmet use among children in the United States: The effects of legislation, personal and household factors

摘要: Abstract Introduction Children ages 5-14 years have the highest rate of bicycle-related injuries in country. Bicycle helmets can prevent head and brain injuries, which represent most serious type injury. Objectives This paper compares children's bicycle helmet use to that estimated from an earlier study, explores regional differences by existing legislation. Methods study was a cross-sectional, list-assisted random-digit-dial telephone survey. Interviews were completed 9,684 respondents during 2001-2003. The subset with at least one child household age (2,409 respondents) answered questions about for randomly selected their household. Results Almost half (48%) children always wore helmet, 23% sometimes 29% never helmet. Helmet wearing significantly associated race, ethnicity, but not sex child. Other significant predictors included income, education, census region, law status. Statewide laws more effective than covering smaller areas. proportion who increased 25% 1994 48% 2001-2002. Significant increases 20% 26% seen among both sexes, younger (5-9 years) older (10-14 years) children, all four regions Conclusions While there has been substantial progress number wear helmets, do not. Further will require using combination methods shown successfully promote consistent use. Impact on industry: minimal.