Recorded presentation

Loretta A Kelly, MS, Center for Health Statistics, New Jersey Department of Health & Senior Services, PO Box 360, Health/Agriculture Bldg; Room 405, Trenton, NJ 08625, 6092925634, loretta.kelly@doh.state.nj.us and Katherine Hempstead, PhD, Center for Health Statistics, New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, PO Box 360, H/A Building, Rm. 405, Trenton, NJ 08625.

Purpose: Compared to all other age groups, persons age 65 and over have the highest pedestrian mortality rates. In New Jersey, older pedestrian mortality rates have been increasing in recent years. We examined incidents (ICD-10 codes V03, 04, 09) in which older adults (65+) were fatally struck by a motor vehicle in New Jersey in 1999 and 2000. Our objective is to determine whether there are demographic or geographical characteristics associated with risk. Methods: Demographic information was obtained from the National Center for Health Statistics’ (NCHS) Multiple Cause of Death files, and New Jersey death certificates. Municipal characteristics were obtained from 2000 Census Data and the New Jersey State Data Center. Medical Examiner records provided descriptive information about the circumstances of the incidents. Demographic and municipal data were compared to state-wide proportions. Decedents’ residential address and location of incident were geocoded, and distance calculations were performed in ArcView 8.2. Results: Results show significant association between risk of injury and age, gender, marital status, and population density of municipality. Distance findings suggest that older adults are at greatest risk of being struck by a motor vehicle when they are in close proximity to their home, especially within one mile. Conclusions: Older victims of pedestrian fatalities are disproportionately likely to be unmarried males who are 75 years old or older, living in municipalities with above average population density, and walking within one mile of their residence. These findings suggest that preventive programs target these at-risk populations and include all pedestrian trips.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the change in older pedestrian mortality rates in New Jersey from 1999 to 2002.
• Identify three demographic characteristics and one municipal characteristic of older adults that affect their risk of fatal pedestrian injury.
• Identify the ESRI script that calculates the distance between two address points in ArcMap 8.
• Recognize the significance that distance from home has on older pedestrian risk.
• List two federal sources of older pedestrian safety education information.
• Identify one educational and one planning strategy that the state of New Jersey has implemented to reduce older pedestrians’ risk of fatal injury.

Keywords: Motor Vehicles, Aging

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: ESRI
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation