The Association of Gasoline Prices With Hospital Utilization and Costs for Motorcycle and Nonmotorcycle Motor Vehicle Injuries in the United States

He Zhu, Fernando A. Wilson, Jim P. Stimpson, Ozgur M. Araz, Jungyoon Kim, Baojiang Chen, Li Tzy Wu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives: This study examined the association between gasoline prices and hospitalizations for motorcycle and nonmotorcycle motor vehicle crash (MVC) injuries. Methods: Data on inpatient hospitalizations were obtained from the 2001 to 2010 Nationwide Inpatient Sample. Panel feasible generalized least squares models were used to estimate the effects of monthly inflation-adjusted gasoline prices on hospitalization rates for MVC injuries and to predict the impact of increasing gasoline taxes. Results: On the basis of the available data, a $1.00 increase in the gasoline tax was associated with an estimated 8348 fewer annual hospitalizations for nonmotorcycle MVC injuries, and reduced hospital costs by $143 million. However, the increase in the gasoline tax was also associated with an estimated 3574 more annual hospitalizations for motorcycle crash injuries, and extended hospital costs by $73 million. Conclusions: This analysis of some existing data suggest that the increased utilization and costs of hospitalization from motorcycle crash injuries associated with an increase in the price of gasoline are likely to substantially offset reductions in nonmotorcycle MVC injuries. A policy decision to increase the gasoline tax could improve traffic safety if the increased tax is paired with public health interventions to improve motorcycle safety.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)837-844
Number of pages8
JournalMedical Care
Volume54
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 2016

Keywords

  • fuel tax
  • gasoline price
  • hospitalization
  • motorcycle
  • traffic safety

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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