A comparison of self-reported seat belt usage among the Appalachian and non-Appalachian United States

Seat belts are known to effectively prevent death and serious injury among motorists involved in vehicular collisions. Limited research exists regarding seat belt usage in Appalachia. This study compares self-reported seat belt use in the Appalachian and non-Appalachian counties of the United States.

Data from 2012 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were used to calculate nationally representative estimates of consistent seat belt usage in each region. These estimates were stratified by age, sex, and rurality. Total and potential lives saved by seat belts were calculated for each region using 2012 Fatality Analysis Reporting System data.

Of the 345,513 respondents (unweighted), Appalachians were 6% less likely than non-Appalachians to always wear a seat belt (relative risk = 0.94, 95% confidence interval, 0.93-0.95). Seat belt usage was consistently lower among Appalachians regardless of sex, age, or rurality. Only 68.1% of rural, Appalachian youth reported always wearing a seat belt. Seat belt usage was highest among non-Appalachian females residing in urban areas (92.5%). With 100% belt compliance, an additional 360 and 1712 potential lives could have been saved in Appalachia and non-Appalachia, respectively.

Regional differences possibly influence seat belt usage. Therefore, public health interventions to increase seat belt usage in Appalachia are likely warranted.