ATV deaths among older adults in West Virginia: evidence suggesting that "60 is the new 40!".
OBJECTIVE
Describe the epidemiology of all-terrain vehicle (ATV) deaths among persons > or =65 years of age in West Virginia from 1999-2007.


METHODS
We conducted a review of death certificates identifying ATV fatalities from ICD-10 diagnostic codes V86.0, V86.1, V86.3, V86.5, V86.6, and V86.9.


RESULTS
ATV deaths increased 155% from 11% during 1985-1998 to 28% during 1999-2007. Injuries to the upper and lower trunk (62%) were the most common injuries, followed by head and neck injuries (28%). Fatality rates increased substantially from 0.37 deaths per 100,000 in 1990 to 2.14 in 2007, with a twofold increase from 1.08 to 2.14 noted from 2005 to 2007.


CONCLUSIONS
An increase in the number of ATV riders and fatality patterns among older adults suggests an increasing propensity for older adults to engage in activities associated most often with younger age groups. Safety and training efforts sensitive to the specific needs of older ATV drivers is warranted.
Helmkamp
James C
JC
Injury Control Research Center, and Department of Community Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA. jhelmkamp@hsc.wvu.edu
Carter
Mary W
MW
D000059:Accidents / Q000401:mortality* / Q000639:trends; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality; D015541:Off-Road Motor Vehicles; D012042:Registries; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014798:Vital Statistics; D014903:West Virginia / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult