BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- Studies have shown that seniors in good health have essentially the same odds of recovery as younger trauma patients -- as long as they get the same treatment.

But new research from Johns Hopkins University has shown that many elderly trauma patients never make it to the best medical centers.

Doctors analyzed 10 years worth of ambulance data from Maryland and found evidence of unconscious age bias by emergency medical staff. Fully half of patients older than 65 were not treated at designated trauma centers, compared to 18 percent of younger patients.

Researchers found that the odds of being transported to a top trauma center dropped first at age 50 and then declined further when the patient was 70 or older.

Emergency responders may subconsciously opt for more aggressive care for younger patients, researchers said. Also, they said, EMTs often lack knowledge on the best treatment protocols for seniors.