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College and Insurance Co. Form Alliance to Increase Seat-Belt Use Among African Americans

WASHINGTON, May 31 -- Motor vehicle crashes are the second leading cause of death among African-American youths, but this public health crisis can be remedied with something as simple as using a seat belt, say the organizers of a new alliance to address the issue.

Data from a study conducted by Meharry Medical College of Nashville, Tenn. 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 each year.

To combat this public health crisis, Meharry and State Farm Insurance have created the Meharry-State Farm Alliance to study why seat-belt and child safety seat use is lower among African Americans, then use the information to increase seat-belt use through culturally appropriate educational material and public awareness campaigns.

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 and test different methods to change behavior. It will translate findings into culturally appropriate educational materials, which will reach a variety of audiences through community health centers, physician and dentist offices, and other community- based organizations such as churches, schools, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), and the media.

"Over the course of its 125-year history, Meharry has established its leadership in identifying and addressing the disparities in morbidity and mortality between African Americans and other underserved populations, and the population as a whole. This new alliance furthers our work," said Meharry President John E. Maupin, Jr., D.D.S. "Meharry is pleased to unite with State Farm in the drive to save lives. We know the statistics; it is now time to come together and find the real reasons behind and the solutions to this crisis."

"As a corporate citizen, we feel a strong responsibility to try to find an answer to this overwhelming problem," said State Farm Senior Vice President Willie Brown. "State Farm customers, agents and employees are a part of every community and we are not willing to stand by while our children, friends and neighbors fall victim to this crisis. We want to help find ways to increase seat-belt and child safety seat use in the black community."

The company has pledged $10 million over five years to support Meharry's medical and research initiatives on this issue. The Alliance will implement recommendations stemming from a Blue Ribbon Panel, convened in June 2000 by then-Secretary of Transportation Rodney E. Slater to address the problem. The panel's findings were published as the "Blue Ribbon Panel to Increase Seat Belt Use Among African Americans: A Report to the Nation."

"Meharry Medical College and State Farm have created a national model for a unified effort by a private for-profit company and a private non-profit organization, which is also an historically black college," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta. "This alliance, in collaboration with the federal government, will help persuade more Americans to use seat belts, the most effective safety device in a car."

Meharry Medical College is the nation's largest private, independent, historically black institution dedicated solely to educating health science professionals. Since its founding in 1876, it has been a leading producer of African-American physicians, dentists, and biomedical scientists. The College is particularly well known for its emphasis on the special primary healthcare needs of minorities, the poor and the disadvantaged of America. Its graduates are respected nationwide for their commitment to underserved communities.