Motor vehicle crash fatalities among Hispanics in rural North Carolina.

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.