Meharry Medical College And State Farm Insurance Form Alliance To Increase Seat Belt Usage Among African Americans

5/30/2002

From: Darrin Brown of State Farm Insurance, 202-263-4400 Jill Scoggins of Meharry Medical College, 615-498-6248

News Advisory:

United in the Drive To Save Lives

WHAT: News conference where Meharry Medical College, State Farm Insurance, and the U.S. Department of Transportation will announce a new alliance that will study the reasons why seat belt and child safety seat use is lower among African Americans and then use the information to encourage change through culturally appropriate public awareness campaigns.

WHEN: Friday, May 31, 2002 10 a.m. EDT

WHERE: First Amendment Room, National Press Club 529 14th Street NW Washington, D.C.

WHO: The Honorable Norman Mineta, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Dr. John Maupin, Jr., president, Meharry Medical College (Nashville, Tenn.) Willie Brown, senior vice-president, State Farm Insurance (Bloomington, Ill.)

WHY: Motor vehicle crashes are the second leading cause of death among African-American youth, but this public health crisis can be remedied with something as simple as using a seat belt, say the organizers of the new alliance to address the issue.

Data from a study conducted by Meharry Medical College researchers show a disparity in seat belt use among African Americans and that use of seat belts and child safety seats among African Americans would save an estimated 1,300 lives, prevent 26,000 injuries and save $2.6 billion in societal costs per year.

The Meharry-State Farm Alliance will conduct community-based research to assess knowledge, attitudes and behaviors about seat belt and child safety seat use in the African-American community. They will translate findings into culturally appropriate educational materials, which will reach a variety of audiences through community-based organizations, such as churches, schools, Historically Black Colleges and Universities and the media.