Male teens with brain disorders might face more accidents
A study says that male teenagers with behavioral disorders such as poor attention span or hypertension might have more risk of getting injured in an accident or specifically a traffic.
Researchers at University of Toronto noted that their risks were similar to epilepsy patients.
Researchers undertook a study for about seven years and about 3,412 teens between ages 16 and 19 were considered.
The study is published in the PLoS Medicine. Dr. Donald Redelmeier, who undertook the study, said such disorders were considered to have similar effects of epilepsy, diabetes and many other medical problems. He noted increased risks, even after accounting for factors such as age, social status and home location.
The researchers however did not exactly document who was at fault during a particular road accident, but suggested that such behavioral disorders might impair a teenager’s ability to avoid a crash.
The study suggested a lot of ways to reduce the risk, including controlling driving speeds, wearing seatbelts, driving at a safe distance, obeying traffic rules and taking medical advice.
“Greater attention by primary care physicians, psychiatrists and community health workers might be helpful since practical recommendations might reduce the risk,” researchers noted.