PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
According to a report submitted to the Secretary of Transportation in December 2000 entitled Blue Ribbon Panel to Increase Seat Belt Use Among African Americans: A Report to the Nation, seat belt use among African Americans is lower than the national average. African Americans are more likely to be killed in motor vehicle crashes than white Americans and African American youth are 50 percent less likely to use seat belts than white or Hispanic Americans. A study conducted in 1999 by Meharry Medical College of Nashville, Tennessee, and General Motors Corporation indicated that 100 percent seat belt use nationally by African Americans could save as many as 1,300 lives per year and prevent 26,000 injuries, at a cost savings of nearly $2.6 billion.

In response to this study, and to increase awareness of occupant protection issues in Seattle, Washington's African American community, members of the Seattle Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., Mount Zion Baptist Church, Washington State's Safety Restraint Coalition and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) Region 10 office, collaborated to organize a public information campaign and subsequent event to encourage the proper use of seat belts and child safety seats.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The Protecting Our Future campaign was developed in 2000 to increase the proper use of seat belt and child safety seats among Seattle's African American residents. Objectives of the program are to:

• Identify and select an influential entity within the local African American community
• Successfully articulate the importance of occupant protection and the consequences of not buckling up
• Provide the community with the resources and knowledge to influence others to use seat belts

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES
Mount Zion Baptist Church is an influential presence in Seattle's local African American community. Coalition members concluded that if the church community recognized the importance of occupant protection, it would resonate throughout the entire population. As a result, the church was selected as the site for an educational campaign to boost seat belt and child safety seat use. The issue of motor vehicle safety was presented to the congregation through a series of weekly bulletin inserts, an article in the monthly church newsletter and additional educational materials.

The Protecting Our Future program event took place on a Sunday, after church services. Prior to the last service, an observational survey of seat belt use was conducted on the streets around the Mount Zion Baptist Church. This survey measured the seat belt use of front seat occupants in 500 cars. Survey results were announced during an educational forum following the service. Printed materials on proper seat belt and child safety seat use were distributed and inspections of child safety seats were conducted. Seats were distributed free-of-charge to needy families.

Certified child passenger safety technicians were on site during the event to inspect child safety seats and provide guidance to parents on their proper installation and use. Church youth helped to weigh and measure children, to determine the appropriate vehicle restraint system for each child.

RESULTS
The Protecting Our Future campaign was extremely well-received in Seattle's African American community, and was successful in promoting occupant protection issues. Local television stations covered the child safety seat event, featuring stories on the evening news. Observational seat belt survey results indicated a use rate of 80 percent, just 2 percent less than the state average.

Following the Protecting Our Future event, materials were left at the church for future distribution. Follow-up messages have appeared in the church bulletin to remind congregants of the importance of buckling up.