During a recent public forum, state Sen. Phil Pavlov reported our legislators received information that convinced them (him) a repeal of our motorcycle helmet law would not have a negative impact on our economy.
We would like to believe our legislators are using solid evidence to guide them in their decision making and this response is in stark contrast to every expert report we have received. Therefore, the St. Clair County Health Department redid a literature search on helmet laws using a search engine from the National Institute of Health called "PubMed."
This site listed 95 peer-reviewed articles (meaning they were deemed to be valid in how they were constructed and interpreted) and few if any determined a benefit of repealing helmet laws. In fact, most reported significant increases in cost, deaths, and injuries.
Despite these findings and our attempts to convey the gravity and meaning of such studies, both the House and Senate have voted to repeal the Michigan Helmet Law. Pavlov and Rep. Paul Muxlow voted in favor of the repeal. Representatives Jud Gilbert and Andrea LaFontaine both voted against the repeal.
The list of reliable, peer-reviewed, evidence- based publications leaves little doubt that such repeals have demonstrable negative safety and economic consequences. I fear our legislators have been misinformed.
If I missed the source that convinced our legislators otherwise I respectfully request they provide this for our review. Of greater concern is they chose to vote for removing this sane and costeffective strategy despite the extensive evidence supporting it.
That begs this question: Who is giving our leaders advice, and why are they accepting it so willingly?
Dr. Annette Mercatante, Master of Public Health, is the medical health officer of the St. Clair County Health Department.
We would like to believe our legislators are using solid evidence to guide them in their decision making and this response is in stark contrast to every expert report we have received. Therefore, the St. Clair County Health Department redid a literature search on helmet laws using a search engine from the National Institute of Health called "PubMed."
This site listed 95 peer-reviewed articles (meaning they were deemed to be valid in how they were constructed and interpreted) and few if any determined a benefit of repealing helmet laws. In fact, most reported significant increases in cost, deaths, and injuries.
Despite these findings and our attempts to convey the gravity and meaning of such studies, both the House and Senate have voted to repeal the Michigan Helmet Law. Pavlov and Rep. Paul Muxlow voted in favor of the repeal. Representatives Jud Gilbert and Andrea LaFontaine both voted against the repeal.
The list of reliable, peer-reviewed, evidence- based publications leaves little doubt that such repeals have demonstrable negative safety and economic consequences. I fear our legislators have been misinformed.
If I missed the source that convinced our legislators otherwise I respectfully request they provide this for our review. Of greater concern is they chose to vote for removing this sane and costeffective strategy despite the extensive evidence supporting it.
That begs this question: Who is giving our leaders advice, and why are they accepting it so willingly?
Dr. Annette Mercatante, Master of Public Health, is the medical health officer of the St. Clair County Health Department.
