Are Motorcycles "Donorcycles"?
7 hours ago
- #organ-donation
- #helmet-laws
- #motorcycle-safety
- Motorcycles are colloquially called 'donorcycles' due to their association with organ donation from fatalities.
- A study in Michigan found a three-fold increase in organ donation rates from unhelmeted motorcyclists compared to helmeted ones (p = 0.006).
- After Michigan's universal helmet law (UHL) was repealed in 2012, there was no significant increase in organ donation rates, but fatalities tended to involve younger riders (average age 32.8 vs. 40.8, p = 0.071).
- Unhelmeted motorcyclists are more likely to become organ donors, likely due to higher rates of severe traumatic brain injuries.
- The study advocates for helmet legislation to improve public health, supported by trauma systems and health professionals.