Knowledge and Perceptions Related to Trauma

Centers and Systems in Georgia Follow-up Survey

December 2008

The SurveyResearchCenter at the University of Georgia conducted the Knowledge and Perceptions Related to TraumaCenters and Systems in Georgia Follow-up Survey with a grant from the Healthcare Georgia Foundation. Data were generated from a telephone interview of a RDD (Random Digit Dial) probability sample of 397 Georgia residents 18 years old or older, conducted between December 4th, 2008 and January 8th, 2009. The purpose of the survey was to assess perceptions and knowledge of Georgia residents about trauma centers and existing trauma care systems in Georgia. These data replicate a similar survey conducted in December 2007. Where appropriate, data from the 2007 survey and the 2008 survey are compared.

Estimates based a sample of this size are subject to sampling error of +/- 4.9% at the 95 percent confidence interval. Sampling error is the probable difference in results between interviewing a sample of the population of adult Georgians versus interviewing the entire population of adults in Georgia. Sample surveys are subject to other sources of error such as non-response error and error associated with the wording of questionnaire items. The cooperation rate for the study was 36.0%. For additional information regarding the methodology used in conducting this survey, contact James J. Bason, Ph.D., Director and Associate Research Scientist, Survey Research Center, University of Georgia, at or 706-542-9082.

Table 1

Most Pressing Issue Facing Georgia,

Personal Financial Situation

20072008

Most Pressing Issue:

Education21.824.3

Economy5.941.6

The Environment3.51.6

Crime and Public Safety8.47.5

Health Care25.98.8

Immigration7.73.1

Water Supply and Quality15.92.1

Air Quality0.40.0

Transportation1.62.1

Tax Relief2.22.8

Other Issue6.76.2

Personal Financial Situation Compared to One Lear Ago:

Better----9.9

Same----48.3

Worse----41.7

Immediate Family Member Lost Job Last Year:

Yes----24.9

No----75.1

Immediate Family Member Lost Health Insurance Last Year:

Yes----19.8

No----80.2

Table 2

Quality of Health Care in Community

20072008

Rating of Quality of Health Care in Community:

Excellent12.511.3

Above Average24.325.8

Average40.547.6

Below Average12.111.0

Poor10.64.3

Health Care Gotten Better, Stayed Same, or Gotten Worse in Past Two Years:

Better33.427.3

Stayed Same44.751.4

Worse21.821.3

Table 3

TraumaCenters and Family

20072008

Family Member/Close Friend Had Serious Life-Threatening Injury:

Yes42.742.2

No57.357.8

Trauma Center Within 60 Minutes of Home:

Yes76.881.9

No23.218.1

Community Have EMS:

Yes----94.7

No----2.3

Not Sure----3.0

Rate Job EMS Does in Community:

Excellent----29.1

Above Average----31.8

Average----30.3

Below Average----5.7

Poor----3.0

EMS Have Ability to Transfer Critically Injured to Trauma Center:

Yes----88.8

No----11.2

You or Family Member Ever Been Treated By EMS:

Yes----64.0

No----36.0

Importance of Family Member/Close Friend Being Treating in Trauma Center:

Extremely Important78.268.7

Very Important17.428.5

Somewhat Important3.62.8

Not Very Important0.40.0

Not at all Important0.40.0

Table 4

Attitudes Toward Trauma Centers

20072008

Believe Trauma System in Government Responsibility:

Yes88.988.1

No11.111.9

Proper Lever of Government to Create/Manage Trauma System:

Federal10.26.1

State34.728.4

Local8.511.9

Combination46.653.5

Funding for Creating/Maintaining Trauma System Supported by Public Funds:

Yes75.975.6

No24.124.4

Amount Willing to Pay Per Year for Georgia Trauma System:

Nothing15.57.0

$1.003.44.0

$5.006.29.4

$10.008.210.6

$25.0022.127.4

$25.00 +44.641.6

Table 5

Options for Funding Trauma Centers

20072008

Increased Fines on People Convicted of Traffic Violations:

Extremely Supportive45.235.4

Somewhat Supportive24.239.2

Somewhat Opposed9.913.0

Extremely Opposed20.712.4

Surcharge on Auto Insurance:

Extremely Supportive12.85.5

Somewhat Supportive11.818.6

Somewhat Opposed20.024.1

Extremely Opposed55.451.8

Additional Tax on Guns:

Extremely Supportive53.539.3

Somewhat Supportive12.022.0

Somewhat Opposed6.315.7

Extremely Opposed28.223.0

Increased in Registration Fee for Cars and Boats:

Extremely Supportive15.06.6

Somewhat Supportive18.626.1

Somewhat Opposed18.223.2

Extremely Opposed48.244.1

Surcharge on 9-1-1 Calls:

Extremely Supportive14.37.3

Somewhat Supportive11.920.2

Somewhat Opposed13.916.8

Extremely Opposed59.955.8

Table 5 (continued)

Options for Funding Trauma Centers

20072008

Increased Insurance/Medicaid Payments to Hospitals Providing Trauma Care:

Extremely Supportive30.214.7

Somewhat Supportive21.133.2

Somewhat Opposed13.321.3

Extremely Opposed35.430.8

Surcharge on Landline Telephones:

Extremely Supportive10.93.4

Somewhat Supportive11.618.8

Somewhat Opposed20.124.0

Extremely Opposed57.453.9

Surcharge on Cell Phones:

Extremely Supportive13.16.1

Somewhat Supportive12.016.9

Somewhat Opposed18.923.0

Extremely Opposed56.054.0

Direct Appropriation of State Funds:

Extremely Supportive55.334.3

Somewhat Supportive19.441.5

Somewhat Opposed7.511.4

Extremely Opposed17.712.8

Additional Yearly $10 Fee on Auto Tag Renewal:

Extremely Supportive----14.6

Somewhat Supportive----35.7

Somewhat Opposed----15.6

Extremely Opposed----34.1

Table 6

Support for Increasing Funding of Trauma Centers in Georgia

20072008

Improving Georgia’s Trauma System Would Save Between 600 – 700 Lives a Year:

Much More Likely to Support67.356.9

Somewhat More Likely to Support20.435.3

Somewhat Less Likely to Support2.51.8

Much Less Likely to Support3.32.1

No Impact on Support6.53.9

Lack of Trauma Care Results in Millions of Dollars in Costs for Medical Care:

Much More Likely to Support58.547.9

Somewhat More Likely to Support24.038.6

Somewhat Less Likely to Support2.85.5

Much Less Likely to Support6.92.2

No Impact on Support7.85.8

Georgia Currently Has Only 15 Designated Trauma Centers:

Much More Likely to Support58.354.0

Somewhat More Likely to Support18.631.0

Somewhat Less Likely to Support4.05.0

Much Less Likely to Support5.92.6

No Impact on Support13.17.4

One Out of Every Three Georgians Will Need Trauma Care:

Much More Likely to Support62.453.1

Somewhat More Likely to Support19.434.5

Somewhat Less Likely to Support4.12.7

Much Less Likely to Support4.13.0

No Impact on Support9.96.7

One of Georgia’s Trauma Centers Has Dropped Trauma Designation in Past Year:

Much More Likely to Support59.753.2

Somewhat More Likely to Support18.530.5

Somewhat Less Likely to Support4.54.6

Much Less Likely to Support5.84.1

No Impact on Support11.47.6

Table 6 (continued)

Support for Increasing Funding of Trauma Centers in Georgia

20072008

Would Cost Less Than a Nickel(2007)/3 Cents a Day(2008) a Person a Day to Stabilize Georgia’s Trauma System:

Much More Likely to Support62.761.9

Somewhat More Likely to Support19.629.1

Somewhat Less Likely to Support3.62.7

Much Less Likely to Support5.82.9

No Impact on Support8.33.5

Would Cost Less Than a Dime(2007)/8 Cents a Day(2008) a Person a Day to Expand Trauma Care So That All Georgians Have Roughly Access:

Much More Likely to Support63.057.9

Somewhat More Likely to Support16.729.6

Somewhat Less Likely to Support5.13.5

Much Less Likely to Support7.14.0

No Impact on Support8.15.1

Would Cost at Least $85 Million a Year to Stabilize the Existing Trauma Care System:

Much More Likely to Support49.530.8

Somewhat More Likely to Support24.638.4

Somewhat Less Likely to Support8.612.9

Much Less Likely to Support6.28.7

No Impact on Support11.29.2

Would Cost $275 Million a Year to Expand Trauma Care So That All Georgians Have Equal Access Regardless of Where They Live:

Much More Likely to Support51.236.2

Somewhat More Likely to Support23.135.9

Somewhat Less Likely to Support6.69.7

Much Less Likely to Support7.710.8

No Impact on Support11.47.5

Table 7

Demographic Characteristics of Sample

% 2007 Sample% 2008 Sample% Census

Gender:

Male31.530.049.2

Female68.570.050.8

Ethnicity:

White66.775.265.1

African-American28.222.228.7

Asian/Pacific Islander0.60.52.2

Multi-Racial/Other2.91.83.8

Hispanic1.60.35.3

Age:

18 - 245.24.113.9

25 - 4430.029.944.1

45 - 6445.539.228.9

65 and older19.326.813.1

Education:

< High School8.37.122.3

High School Grad/GED22.821.729.5

Some College38.634.124.7

College Grad or Higher30.337.123.4

Income:

< $15,0006.312.716.8

$15,000 - $34,99924.918.026.5

$35,000 - $49,99912.914.116.0

$50,000 - $74,99924.021.919.6

$75,000 or more31.833.221.1

Party Affiliation:(Fall 2008 Georgia Poll)

Democrat33.235.828.5

Republican26.534.733.5

Independent21.820.426.9

Something Else18.59.111.0

Region:

Inner Metro Atlanta12.911.8----

Outer Metro Atlanta29.416.1----

North Georgia16.19.6----

Central Georgia14.99.6----

South Georgia26.852.9----

Table 8

Rating of Quality of Health Care in Community,

by Demographic Items

Rating of Quality of Health Care in Community:

2007 Excellent/2008 Excellent/

Above AverageAbove Average

Gender:

Male 51.6* 47.5*

Female30.232.3

Ethnicity:

White 44.9* 43.8*

Non-White22.217.0

Age:

18 – 2428.026.7

25 – 4432.231.2

45 – 6442.438.0

65 +38.246.3

Education:

< HS Grad 17.5* 19.2*

HS Grad or Less31.429.5

Some College36.333.3

College Grad +49.347.9

Income:

< $15,000 26.3* 30.4*

$15,000 - $34,99935.422.0

$35,000 - $49,99942.822.3

$50,000 - $74,99934.244.9

$75,000 +52.942.9

Political Affiliation:

Democrat 26.8* 22.2*

Republican48.353.2

Independent44.942.4

Region:

Inner Metro Atlanta 34.9*38.6

Outer Metro Atlanta47.250.8

North Georgia39.241.2

Middle Georgia30.134.3

South Georgia28.832.3

* p .05

Table 9

Health Care in Community Gotten Better or Worse,

by Demographic Items

2007 % Better2008 % Better

Gender:

Male 40.0* 35.4*

Female30.323.7

Ethnicity:

White37.130.5

Non-White26.717.6

Age:

18 – 24 12.0*26.7

25 – 4427.622.4

45 – 6438.533.6

65 +22.726.1

Education:

< HS Grad26.325.9

HS Grad30.517.5

Some College30.131.2

College Grad +43.130.0

Income:

< $15,00021.1 24.2*

$15,000 - $34,99941.012.8

$35,000 - $49,99919.515.8

$50,000 - $74,99923.136.2

$75,000 +36.141.2

Political Affiliation:

Democrat 24.6*19.4

Republican43.234.1

Independent37.134.7

Region:

Inner Metro Atlanta16.418.2

Outer Metro Atlanta30.939.3

North Georgia41.937.8

Middle Georgia39.532.4

South Georgia35.723.0

* p .05

Table 10

Trauma Center Within 60 Miles of Home,

By Region

2007 % Yes2008 % Yes

Gender:

Male 84.6*87.3

Female73.879.6

Ethnicity:

White77.481.4

Non-White77.083.7

Age:

18 – 2460.993.3

25 – 4481.486.8

45 – 6476.685.1

65 +81.473.4

Education:

< HS Grad65.876.0

HS Grad77.373.4

Some College76.385.5

College Grad +82.984.6

Income:

< $15,00064.765.7

$15,000 - $34,99983.383.0

$35,000 - $49,99973.286.5

$50,000 - $74,99978.980.7

$75,000 +81.482.2

Political Affiliation:

Democrat78.676.2

Republican75.984.7

Independent79.384.3

Region:

Inner Metro Atlanta 85.7* 92.9*

Outer Metro Atlanta82.593.3

North Georgia71.884.8

Middle Georgia83.886.1

South Georgia64.574.7

* p .05

Table 11

Creating/Maintaining Statewide Trauma System Responsibility of Government,

by Demographic Items

2007 % Yes2008 % Yes

Gender:

Male85.983.3

Female90.190.1

Ethnicity:

White 86.0* 85.1*

Non-White95.696.8

Age:

18 – 2492.0100.0

25 – 4489.691.3

45 – 6489.985.8

65 +84.384.8

Education:

< HS Grad97.096.4

HS Grad91.689.9

Some College86.488.2

College Grad +88.685.3

Income:

< $15,00090.091.2

$15,000 - $34,99993.793.8

$35,000 - $49,99987.888.9

$50,000 - $74,99994.890.3

$75,000+83.781.9

Political Affiliation:

Democrat95.2 98.5*

Republican87.878.0

Independent88.784.2

Region:

Inner Metro Atlanta92.1 80.4*

Outer Metro Atlanta83.378.1

North Georgia91.797.3

Middle Georgia90.585.7

South Georgia91.291.8

* p .05

Table 12

Level of Government Best Suited to Create/Manage Trauma System,

by Demographic Items

FederalStateLocalCombination

Gender:

Male7.427.713.851.1

Female5.628.811.254.5

Ethnicity: *

White5.230.413.051.3

Non-White8.923.37.860.0

Age:

18 – 246.243.812.537.5

25 – 441.926.29.762.1

45 – 647.927.09.555.6

65 +9.132.516.941.6

Education:*

< HS Grad19.215.423.142.3

HS Grad14.526.110.149.3

Some College1.828.212.757.3

College Grad +2.532.89.854.9

Income:

< $15,00013.316.716.753.3

$15,000 - $34,99915.915.96.861.4

$35,000 - $49,99912.59.412.565.6

$50,000 - $74,9993.626.810.758.9

$75,000 +1.332.511.754.5

Political Affiliation:

Democrat9.326.47.856.6

Republican2.034.717.345.9

Independent6.624.69.859.0

Region:

Inner Metro Atlanta0.043.210.845.9

Outer Metro Atlanta2.028.016.054.0

North Georgia2.825.013.958.3

Middle Georgia3.448.36.941.4

South Georgia9.722.911.456.0

* p .05

Table 13

Should Trauma Care be Supported by Public Funds,

by Demographic Items

2007 % Yes2008 % Yes

Gender:

Male72.772.8

Female77.776.9

Ethnicity:

White75.476.6

Non-White78.376.4

Age:

18 – 24 72.0*85.7

25 – 4481.678.8

45 – 6477.473.9

65 +63.374.4

Education:

< HS Grad71.981.5

HS Grad76.672.0

Some College75.375.2

College Grad +78.576.7

Income:

< $15,00072.287.9

$15,000 - $34,99980.082.9

$35,000 - $49,99982.181.6

$50,000 $74,99977.078.0

$75,000+79.873.6

Political Affiliation:

Democrat78.482.8

Republican75.074.3

Independent84.371.1

Region:

Inner Metro Atlanta79.7 61.9*

Outer Metro Atlanta75.067.2

North Georgia76.786.1

Middle Georgia76.578.1

South Georgia74.278.8

* p .05

Table 14

Amount Willing to Pay Per Year for Georgia Trauma System,

by Demographic Items

% $10.00 +% $10.00 +

Gender:

Male77.784.5

Female73.577.5

Ethnicity:

White76.6 84.0*

Non-White74.968.3

Age:

18 – 24 72.0*85.7

25 – 4480.585.5

45 – 6479.277.2

65 +59.875.3

Education:

< HS Grad70.075.0

HS Grad79.075.7

Some College70.380.6

College Grad +81.681.9

Income:

< $15,000 63.2*78.2

$15,000 - $34,99977.684.4

$35,000 - $49,99986.866.6

$50,000 - $74,99986.789.4

$75,000 +85.7

Political Affiliation:

Democrat82.380.7

Republican74.780.1

Independent76.486.7

Region:

Inner Metro Atlanta75.575.6

Outer Metro Atlanta73.578.9

North Georgia71.484.3

Middle Georgia78.781.4

South Georgia76.579.7

* p .05

Table 15

Support for Increased Fines on People Convicted of Traffic Violations,

by Demographic Items

2007 % Support2008 % Support

Gender:

Male 57.0* 62.9*

Female75.279.8

Ethnicity:

White 75.2*77.2

Non-White59.469.7

Age:

18 – 2454.286.7

25 – 4469.377.9

45 – 6468.669.4

65 +75.680.0

Education:

< HS Grad73.774.1

HS Grad71.275.9

Some College70.473.1

College Grad +65.375.4

Income:

< $15,00068.476.5

$15,000 - $34,99973.280.9

$35,000 - $49,99967.466.7

$50,000 - $74,99970.582.0

$75,000+68.972.3

Political Affiliation:

Democrat65.173.6

Republican75.476.4

Independent69.077.6

Region:

Inner Metro Atlanta64.6 61.4*

Outer Metro Atlanta68.571.4

North Georgia78.589.5

Middle Georgia68.066.7

South Georgia68.077.2

* p .05

Table 16

Support for Surcharge on Auto Insurance,

by Demographic Items

2007 % Support2008 % Support

Gender:

Male22.428.1

Female26.022.4

Ethnicity:

White23.223.8

Non-White27.824.2

Age:

18 – 2428.040.0

25 – 4425.527.7

45 – 6420.220.8

65 +32.123.5

Education:

< HS Grad 42.1*25.9

HS Grad29.531.3

Some College20.320.8

College Grad +21.022.7

Income:

< $15,00038.934.3

$15,000 - $34,99928.826.0

$35,000 - $49,99927.921.1

$50,000 - $74,99917.922.0

$75,000+22.125.0

Political Affiliation:

Democrat27.027.7

Republican19.522.3

Independent25.023.7

Region:

Inner Metro Atlanta27.024.4

Outer Metro Atlanta21.817.7

North Georgia27.318.9

Middle Georgia14.119.4

South Georgia30.527.7

* p .05

Table 17

Support for Additional Tax on Purchase of Guns,

by Demographic Items

2007 % Support2008 % Support

Gender:

Male50.6 47.4*

Female72.367.3

Ethnicity:

White 60.1* 57.7*

Non-White75.371.3

Age:

18 – 2480.080.0

25 – 4467.964.9

45 – 6462.456.5

65 +64.761.6

Education:

< HS Grad47.271.4

HS Grad63.565.9

Some College70.160.2

College Grad +63.957.4

Income:

< $15,00055.662.9

$15,000 - $34,99974.472.9

$35,000 - $49,99965.173.7

$50,000 - $74,99967.564.4

$75,000 +61.954.3

Political Affiliation:

Democrat71.6 72.2*

Republican61.351.6

Independent64.057.9

Region:

Inner Metro Atlanta75.470.5

Outer Metro Atlanta65.562.5

North Georgia61.561.1

Middle Georgia65.856.8

South Georgia62.859.7

* p .05

Table 18

Support for Increase in Annual Registration Fee for Cars/Trucks,

by Demographic Items

2007 % Support2008 % Support

Gender:

Male35.737.7

Female32.930.6

Ethnicity:

White36.032.9

Non-White29.632.2

Age:

18 – 2436.035.7

25 – 4434.340.0

45 – 6431.230.1

65 +38.127.8

Education:

< HS Grad30.834.6

HS Grad30.835.4

Some College32.627.7

College Grad +37.235.5

Income:

< $15,00036.829.4

$15,000 - $34,99926.544.0

$35,000 - $49,99941.927.0

$50,000 - $74,99932.540.0

$75,000 +34.939.4

Political Affiliation:

Democrat32.737.2

Republican35.028.1

Independent37.030.3

Region:

Inner Metro Atlanta33.828.9

Outer Metro Atlanta31.021.9

North Georgia35.937.8

Middle Georgia28.044.1

South Georgia38.234.2

* p .05

Table 19

Support for Surcharge on 9-1-1 Calls,

by Demographic Items

2007 % Support2008 % Support

Gender:

Male27.130.8

Female25.926.0

Ethnicity:

White26.228.8

Non-White25.225.3

Age:

18 – 2433.313.3

25 – 4427.028.1

45 – 6427.129.7

65 +20.525.3

Education:

< HS Grad35.042.9

HS Grad28.633.8

Some College26.826.2

College Grad +20.821.7

Income:

< $15,00045.020.6

$15,000 - $34,99928.936.7

$35,000 - $49,99919.028.2

$50,000 - $74,99931.621.3

$75,000 +27.933.7

Political Affiliation:

Democrat25.828.0

Republican24.627.8

Independent27.329.9

Region:

Inner Metro Atlanta27.715.2

Outer Metro Atlanta28.520.3

North Georgia29.132.4

Middle Georgia20.536.8

South Georgia24.229.9

* p .05

Table 20

Support for Increased Insurance/Medicaid Payments to Hospitals Providing Trauma Care,

by Demographic Items

2007 % Support2008 % Support

Gender:

Male53.153.4

Female46.945.4

Ethnicity:

White53.650.9

Non-White48.439.3

Age:

18 – 2444.066.7

25 – 4449.651.8

45 – 6454.347.2

65 +51.242.2

Education:

< HS Grad43.651.9

HS Grad54.447.4

Some College50.346.5

College Grad +54.349.3

Income:

< $15,00057.938.7

$15,000 - $34,99951.956.5

$35,000 - $49,99951.337.8

$50,000 -$74,99958.450.0

$75,000 +51.958.1

Political Affiliation:

Democrat55.945.9

Republican53.453.6

Independent49.544.6

Region:

Inner Metro Atlanta50.848.8

Outer Metro Atlanta50.449.2

North Georgia49.448.6

Middle Georgia53.644.4

South Georgia52.447.9

* p .05

Table 21

Support for Surcharge on Landline Telephones,

by Demographic Items

2007 % Support2008 % Support

Gender:

Male21.124.8

Female23.321.0

Ethnicity:

White21.220.8

Non-White25.627.5

Age:

18 – 24 40.0* 26.7*

25 – 4427.935.1

45 – 6418.518.4

65 +20.914.0

Education:

< HS Grad21.125.0

HS Grad22.921.7

Some College23.223.3

College Grad +23.121.0

Income:

< $15,00028.619.4

$15,000 - $34,99924.730.0

$35,000 - $49,99917.521.1

$50,000 - $74,99922.822.6

$75,000 +25.526.4

Political Affiliation:

Democrat25.026.0

Republican22.317.1

Independent20.019.7

Region:

Inner Metro Atlanta25.815.2

Outer Metro Atlanta21.816.1

North Georgia24.426.3

Middle Georgia14.721.1

South Georgia25.425.0

* p .05

Table 22

Support for Surcharge on Cell Phones,

by Demographic Items

2007 % Support2008 % Support

Gender:

Male 18.8*24.3

Female28.222.4

Ethnicity:

White23.923.4

Non-White28.523.3

Age:

18 – 2436.013.3

25 – 4424.130.4

45 – 6425.620.7

65 +24.718.4

Education:

< HS Grad25.015.4

HS Grad28.627.5

Some College22.926.4

College Grad +26.619.0

Income:

< $15,00023.534.4

$15,000 - $34,99924.724.5

$35,000 - $49,99929.321.6

$50,000 - $74,99931.623.0

$75,000 +26.427.2

Political Affiliation:

Democrat28.328.9

Republican27.120.9

Independent21.615.6

Region:

Inner Metro Atlanta27.017.4

Outer Metro Atlanta20.814.3

North Georgia32.022.2

Middle Georgia17.622.2

South Georgia29.427.4

* p .05

Table 23

Support for Direct Appropriation of State Funds by Legislature,

by Demographic Items

2007 % Support2008 % Support

Gender:

Male70.774.6

Female71.776.3

Ethnicity:

White76.876.6

Non-White71.775.6

Age:

18 – 2482.693.3*

25 – 4469.681.5

45 – 6478.479.6

65 +73.558.1

Education:

< HS Grad 61.5*82.6

HS Grad63.768.0

Some College75.077.0

College Grad +87.277.8

Income:

< $15,00061.971.4

$15,000 - $34,99976.976.6

$35,000 - $49,99974.466.7

$50,000 - $74,99982.980.0

$75,000 +81.681.3

Political Affiliation:

Democrat77.679.2

Republican77.772.0

Independent76.574.7

Region:

Inner Metro Atlanta79.770.7

Outer Metro Atlanta74.175.0

North Georgia69.386.5

Middle Georgia80.385.3

South Georgia73.173.3

* p .05

Table 24

Support for Additional Yearly $10 Fee on Auto Tag Renewal,

by Demographic Items

% 2007 More Likely% 2008 More Likely

To SupportTo Support

Gender:

Male----55.3

Female----48.1

Ethnicity:

White----52.8

Non-White----44.4

Age:

18 – 24---- 85.7*

25 – 44----60.4

45 – 64----50.3

65 +----34.3

Education:

< HS Grad----38.5

HS Grad----44.0

Some College----53.8

College Grad +----53.2

Income:

< $15,000----38.9

$15,000 - $34,999----51.0

$35,000 - $49,999----56.4

$50,000 -$74,999----60.7

$75,000 +----55.9

Political Affiliation:

Democrat----47.4

Republican----50.0

Independent----56.4

Region:

Inner Metro Atlanta----50.0

Outer Metro Atlanta----50.8

North Georgia----48.6

Middle Georgia----60.5

South Georgia----48.5

* p .05

Table 25

Improving Georgia’s Trauma System Would Save Between 600 – 700 Lives a Year,

by Demographic Items

% 2007 More Likely% 2008 More Likely

To SupportTo Support

Gender:

Male95.0 92.9*

Female93.597.3

Ethnicity:

White94.295.9

Non-White93.895.7

Age:

18 – 2490.993.8

25 – 4494.698.2

45 – 6495.095.8

65 +90.093.5

Education:

< HS Grad88.992.3

HS Grad95.096.3

Some College91.195.3

College Grad +97.797.0

Income:

< $15,00084.290.9

$15,000 - $34,99996.298.0

$35,000 - $49,99992.395.0

$50,000 - $74,99995.798.3

$75,000 +95.996.6

Political Affiliation:

Democrat95.695.6

Republican92.996.7

Independent92.495.6

Region:

Inner Metro Atlanta93.190.9

Outer Metro Atlanta94.093.1

North Georgia93.294.6

Middle Georgia91.2100.0

South Georgia95.797.4

* p .05

Table 26

Lack of Trauma Care Results in Millions in Costs in Medical Care,

by Demographic Items

% 2007 More Likely% 2008 More Likely

To SupportTo Support

Gender:

Male89.289.4

Female89.892.9

Ethnicity:

White89.992.7

Non-White90.088.8

Age:

18 – 2482.684.6

25 – 4487.792.7

45 – 6492.694.2

65 +85.587.2

Education:

< HS Grad 87.9*84.0

HS Grad86.588.3

Some College87.292.0

College Grad +96.195.3

Income:

< $15,00088.993.5

$15,000 - $34,99989.693.6

$35,000 - $49,99997.191.7

$50,000 - $74,99992.896.4

$75,000 +93.692.8

Political Affiliation:

Democrat93.194.3

Republican89.091.8

Independent91.791.2

Region:

Inner Metro Atlanta84.587.5

Outer Metro Atlanta88.390.7

North Georgia92.888.9

Middle Georgia88.597.1

South Georgia91.992.7

* p .05

Table 27

Georgia Currently Has Only 15 Designated Trauma Centers,

by Demographic Items

% 2007 More Likely% 2008 More Likely

To SupportTo Support

Gender:

Male84.788.6

Female90.593.1

Ethnicity:

White87.791.0

Non-White90.694.2

Age:

18 – 2480.083.3

25 – 4493.396.2

45 – 6487.690.6

65 +83.888.5

Education:

< HS Grad82.492.6

HS Grad88.588.6

Some College87.790.3

College Grad +91.795.0

Income:

< $15,00093.893.9

$15,000 - $34,99987.895.9

$35,000 - $49,99997.192.3

$50,000 - $74,99983.196.4

$75,000 +92.088.8

Political Affiliation:

Democrat91.595.2

Republican88.087.3

Independent88.992.9

Region:

Inner Metro Atlanta83.991.9

Outer Metro Atlanta86.382.4

North Georgia89.291.4

Middle Georgia90.697.2

South Georgia91.793.2

* p .05

Table 28

1 Out of Every 3 Georgians Will Need Trauma Care,

by Demographic Items

% 2007 More Likely% 2008 More Likely

To SupportTo Support

Gender:

Male90.3 89.5*

Female91.495.9

Ethnicity:

White90.595.2

Non-White91.691.1

Age:

18 – 24 90.5*85.7

25 – 4496.698.1

45 – 6489.290.6

65 +85.395.0

Education:

< HS Grad93.588.0

HS Grad90.891.7

Some College90.195.0

College Grad +91.995.3

Income:

< $15,00088.993.8

$15,000 - $34,99994.595.7

$35,000 - $49,99997.391.9

$50,000 - $74,99987.394.8

$75,000 +95.692.9

Political Affiliation:

Democrat91.794.4

Republican95.193.9

Independent91.595.5

Region:

Inner Metro Atlanta87.592.3

Outer Metro Atlanta91.189.3

North Georgia92.494.4

Middle Georgia90.3100.0

South Georgia91.894.4

* p .05

Table 29

Past Year, One of Georgia’s Major Trauma Centers Dropped Trauma Designation,

by Demographic Items

% 2007 More Likely% 2008 More Likely

To SupportTo Support

Gender:

Male85.386.8

Female90.692.4

Ethnicity:

White91.191.5

Non-White85.288.6

Age:

18 – 2489.583.3

25 – 4491.093.4

45 – 6488.691.2

65 +85.187.7

Education:

< HS Grad87.582.6

HS Grad87.186.5

Some College88.091.6

College Grad +91.993.7

Income:

< $15,00088.286.2

$15,000 - $34,99981.393.5

$35,000 - $49,99990.687.2

$50,000 - $74,99989.693.0

$75,000 +93.594.0

Political Affiliation:

Democrat86.389.7

Republican93.092.9

Independent88.993.9

Region:

Inner Metro Atlanta84.787.2

Outer Metro Atlanta90.388.9

North Georgia87.788.9

Middle Georgia86.997.1

South Georgia89.291.0

* p .05

Table 30

Would Cost Less Than a Nickel per Person Per Day to Stabilize Georgia’s Trauma System,

by Demographic Items

% 2007 More Likely% 2008 More Likely

To SupportTo Support

Gender:

Male89.792.7

Female90.094.9

Ethnicity:

White91.394.3

Non-White87.593.3

Age:

18 – 2481.885.7

25 – 4488.895.6

45 – 6490.593.5

65 +92.295.4

Education:

< HS Grad 94.1*92.6

HS Grad92.294.7

Some College83.394.3

College Grad +96.094.1

Income:

< $15,00077.897.0

$15,000 - $34,99990.896.1

$35,000 - $49,99991.794.7

$50,000 - $74,999\90.096.6

$75,000 +92.691.0

Political Affiliation:

Democrat88.895.3

Republican92.294.2

Independent93.295.7

Region:

Inner Metro Atlanta83.192.7

Outer Metro Atlanta87.490.0

North Georgia92.897.3

Middle Georgia92.2100.0

South Georgia92.894.2

* p .05

Table 31

Would Cost Less Than a Dime a Person Per Day to Expand Trauma Care so All Have Equal Access,

by Demographic Items

% 2007 More Likely% 2008 More Likely

To SupportTo Support

Gender:

Male87.591.0

Female86.592.7

Ethnicity:

White87.391.1

Non-White86.294.5

Age:

18 – 24 68.2*93.3

25 – 4491.694.6

45 – 6486.890.4

65 +85.391.8

Education:

< HS Grad 90.6*91.7

HS Grad87.396.1

Some College81.393.5

College Grad +94.588.7

Income:

< $15,00077.893.9

$15,000 - $34,99985.397.9

$35,000 - $49,99986.594.4

$50,000 - $74,99988.998.3

$75,000 +92.687.5

Political Affiliation:

Democrat89.095.3

Republican90.191.3

Independent90.690.0

Region:

Inner Metro Atlanta80.090.0

Outer Metro Atlanta87.384.2

North Georgia88.491.9

Middle Georgia89.293.9

South Georgia87.294.7

* p .05

Table 32

Would Cost $85 Million a Year to Stabilize Georgia’s Trauma System,

by Demographic Items

% 2007 More Likely% 2008 More Likely

To SupportTo Support

Gender:

Male82.275.0

Female84.176.8

Ethnicity:

White82.274.2

Non-White86.080.0

Age:

18 – 2485.083.3

25 – 4484.782.0

45 – 6485.273.9

65 +76.573.2

Education:

< HS Grad87.579.2

HS Grad84.984.3

Some College78.975.7

College Grad +89.271.4

Income:

< $15,00073.385.2

$15,000 - $34,99983.387.8

$35,000 - $49,99991.977.1

$50,000 - $74,99987.174.7

$75,00086.874.4

Political Affiliation:

Democrat86.778.0

Republican86.977.7

Independent87.276.2

Region:

Inner Metro Atlanta80.469.7

Outer Metro Atlanta87.370.4

North Georgia80.380.0

Middle Georgia90.380.0

South Georgia78.477.8

* p .05

Table 33

Would Cost $275 Million a Year to Expand Trauma Care So All Have Equal Access

by Demographic Items

% 2007 More Likely% 2008 More Likely

To SupportTo Support

Gender:

Male 78.0*74.8

Female87.379.3

Ethnicity:

White83.675.9

Non-White85.583.9

Age:

18 – 2477.392.3

25 – 4484.376.7

45 – 6485.375.2

65 +82.182.9

Education:

< HS Grad 90.6* 86.4*

HS Grad87.990.5

Some College78.178.4

College Grad +88.568.3

Income:

< $15,00082.4 92.9*

$15,000 - $34,99986.390.9

$35,000 - $49,99993.983.3

$50,000 - $74,99985.774.1

$75,00082.666.7

Political Affiliation:

Democrat89.383.7

Republican87.072.4

Independent83.575.8

Region:

Inner Metro Atlanta84.575.0

Outer Metro Atlanta86.166.7

North Georgia84.880.6

Middle Georgia90.373.5

South Georgia76.582.5

* p .05

Appendix A

Survey Instrument

Knowledge and Perceptions

Related to TraumaCenters and Systems in Georgia

FINAL FIELD VERSION

DECEMBER 2, 2008

Hello, my name is ______and I'm calling from the University of Georgia Survey Research Center in Athens. We are conducting a short survey tonight and we’d like to interview a member of your household.Your household has been selected at random to participate in this survey and we are very interested in your opinions. In order for the results of the study to be representative of the state’s population, I need to speak to someone in your household who is at least 18 years old who last celebrated a birthday. Would that be you?

  1. Yes [CONTINUE TO S2]
  2. No [WHEN WOULD BE A GOOD TIME TO REACH THAT PERSON? ARRANGE TIME FOR CALL-BACK AND GET THE RESPONDENT'S FIRST NAME OR IF PERSON IS AVAILABLE, REINTRODUCE YOURSELF AND THE STUDY]

S2 – Do you have a few minutes right now to answer some questions?

  1. Yes [CONTINUE]
  2. No [USE PERSUADERS, SCHEDULE CALLBACK]

Great! Before I start, I need to let you know that any information you provide for me will be kept strictly confidential and your participation is completely voluntary. You can skip any question you don’t want to answer. No risk or discomfort is anticipated from participation in this study. My supervisor may listen to part of the interview for quality control purposes.

To begin . . .

S3 – Are you currently registered to vote in the state of Georgia?

  1. Yes
  2. No

[IF S3 = 2, TERMINATE WITH “Those are all of the questions I have today. Thank you very much for your time and participation”]

Q1 - Which of the following would you say is the most pressing issue facing Georgia… education, the economy, the environment, crime and public safety, health care, immigration, water supply and quality, air quality, transportation, tax relief, or some other issue?

  1. Education97 - Refused
  2. the economy98 – Don’t Know
  3. the environment99 – Not Ascertained
  4. crime and public safety
  5. health care
  6. immigration
  7. water supply and quality
  8. air quality
  9. transportation
  10. tax relief
  11. some other issue [SPECIFY ______]

Q2 – How would you describe your own personal financial situation right now as compared to last year? Would you say your own personal financial situation is better, about the same, or worse than it was last year?

  1. Better7 - Refused
  2. Same8 – Don’t Know
  3. Worse9 – Not Ascertained

Q3 – Has an immediate family member of yours lost their job in the past year?

  1. Yes7 - Refused
  2. No8 – Don’t Know

9 – Not Ascertained

Q4 – Has an immediate family member of your lost their health insurance coverage in the past year?

  1. Yes7 - Refused
  2. No8 – Don’t Know

9 – Not Ascertained

Q5 – Now I’d like to focus specifically on health care and ask you some specific questions on that topic. First, overall, how would you rate the quality of health care in your community? Would you say excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor?

  1. Excellent7 – Refused
  2. Above average8 – Don’t Know
  3. Average9 – Not Ascertained
  4. Below Average
  5. Poor

Q6 – In the past several years would you say that health care in your community has gotten better, stayed about the same, or gotten worse?

7 – Refused

  1. Gotten better8 – Don’t Know
  2. Stayed about the same9 – Refused
  3. Gotten worse

Q7 – Have you or a member of your family or a close personal friend ever had a serious or life-threatening injury?

7 – Refused

  1. Yes8 – Don’t Know
  2. No9 – Not Ascertained

Q8 – To the best of your knowledge, is there a trauma center within 60 minutes of your house?

  1. Yes. (What is the name of the hospital? ______)
  2. No

7 – Refused

8 – Don’t Know

9 – Not Ascertained

One vital element of a trauma system is Emergency Medical Services, or EMS. Emergency Medical Services include ambulance services operated by Emergency Medical Technicians and paramedics. These first responders deal with medical emergencies, auto accidents and acts of violence. They provide out-of-hospital care to ill or injured patients and then transport them to appropriate hospitals. Having given you this basic description, let me ask you a few questions about EMS services.

Q8.1 – First of all, does your community have any type of Emergency Medical Service?

  1. Yes7 - Refused
  2. No [SKIP TO Q8.3]8 – Don’t Know

9 – Not Ascertained

Q8.2 – Generally speaking, how good a job do you think your Emergency Medical Service does in meeting the needs of your community? Would you say……

  1. Excellent7 - Refused
  2. Above Average8 – Don’t Know
  3. Average9 – Not Ascertained
  4. Below Average
  5. Poor

Q8.3 – Do you know if your EMS service has the ability to immediately transfer critically injured victims directly to a trauma center?

7 - Refused

  1. Yes8 – Don’t Know
  2. No9 – Not Ascertained

Q8.4 – Have you or a family member ever been treated by EMS personnel or transported to a hospital by a local EMS provider?

7 - Refused

  1. Yes8 – Don’t Know
  2. No9 - Not Ascertained

Q8.5 – In your own words, how would you describe that experience?

Q9 - If you or a family member had a serious or life-threatening injury, how important would it be to be treated in a trauma center? Would you say it would be extremely important, very important, somewhat important, not very important or not at all important?

7 – Refused

1.Extremely important8 – Don’t Know