02493nas a2200265   4500000000100000008004100001100001300042700001500055700001800070700001800088700002100106700002100127700001600148700001600164700002000180700001600200700001600216700002000232700004500252245009400297300001200391490000700403520180300410022001402213       2017                            d1 aIvers R.1 aPeng Yinan1 aVaidya Namita1 aFinnie Ramona1 aReynolds Jeffrey1 aDumitru Cristian1 aNjie Gibril1 aElder Randy1 aSakashita Chika1 aShults Ruth1 aSleet David1 aCompton Richard1 aCommunity Preventive Services Task Force00aUniversal Motorcycle Helmet Laws to Reduce Injuries: A Community Guide Systematic Review.  a820-8320 v523 a<p>
<b>CONTEXT: </b>Motorcycle crashes account for a disproportionate number of motor vehicle deaths and injuries in the U.S. Motorcycle helmet use can lead to an estimated 42% reduction in risk for fatal injuries and a 69% reduction in risk for head injuries. However, helmet use in the U.S. has been declining and was at 60% in 2013. The current review examines the effectiveness of motorcycle helmet laws in increasing helmet use and reducing motorcycle-related deaths and injuries.
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<b>EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: </b>Databases relevant to health or transportation were searched from database inception to August 2012. Reference lists of reviews, reports, and gray literature were also searched. Analysis of the data was completed in 2014.
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<b>EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: </b>A total of 60 U.S. studies qualified for inclusion in the review. Implementing universal helmet laws increased helmet use (median, 47 percentage points); reduced total deaths (median, -32%) and deaths per registered motorcycle (median, -29%); and reduced total injuries (median, -32%) and injuries per registered motorcycle (median, -24%). Repealing universal helmet laws decreased helmet use (median, -39 percentage points); increased total deaths (median, 42%) and deaths per registered motorcycle (median, 24%); and increased total injuries (median, 41%) and injuries per registered motorcycle (median, 8%).
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<b>CONCLUSIONS: </b>Universal helmet laws are effective in increasing motorcycle helmet use and reducing deaths and injuries. These laws are effective for motorcyclists of all ages, including younger operators and passengers who would have already been covered by partial helmet laws. Repealing universal helmet laws decreased helmet use and increased deaths and injuries.
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