title: Federally mandating motorcycle helmets in the United States.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Motorcycle helmets reduce both motorcycle-related fatalities and head injuries. Motorcycle crashes are a major public health concern which place economic stress on the U.S. healthcare system.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although statewide universal motorcycle helmet laws effectively increase helmet use, most state helmet laws do not require every motorcycle rider to wear a helmet. Herein, we propose and outline the solution of implementing federal motorcycle helmet law, while addressing potential counterarguments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The decision to ride a motorcycle without a helmet has consequences that affect more than just the motorcyclist. In an effort to prevent unnecessary healthcare costs, injuries, and deaths, public health efforts to increase helmet use through education and legislation should be strongly considered. Helmet use on motorcycles fits squarely within the purview of the federal government public health and economic considerations.
authors.affiliation: Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Box G-9247, Providence, RI, 02903, USA. aeltorai@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Adam E M
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Eltorai
authors.affiliation: Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Box G-9247, Providence, RI, 02903, USA. chad_simon@brown.edu.
authors.forename: Chad
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.affiliation: Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Box G-9247, Providence, RI, 02903, USA. ariel_choi@brown.edu.
authors.forename: Ariel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Box G-9247, Providence, RI, 02903, USA. katie_hsia@brown.edu.
authors.forename: Katie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hsia
authors.affiliation: Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Box G-9247, Providence, RI, 02903, USA. Christopher_Born@brown.edu.|Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, 02903, USA. Christopher_Born@brown.edu.
authors.forename: Christopher T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Born
authors.affiliation: Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Box G-9247, Providence, RI, 02903, USA. alandanielsmd@gmail.com.|Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, 02903, USA. alandanielsmd@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Alan H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Daniels
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000191:economics / Q000401:mortality; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control; D035082:Federal Government; D006260:Head Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D037141:Mandatory Programs; D009049:Motorcycles / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology