The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its first-ever report on drowning prevention, highlighting a 38% reduction in the global drowning death rate since 2000. This significant achievement underscores the effectiveness of simple, practical interventions recommended by WHO.
Despite this progress, drowning remains a major public health challenge, with over 30 people drowning every hour and an estimated 300,000 lives lost in 2021 alone. Children are particularly at risk, as nearly half of all drowning deaths involve individuals under the age of 29, and a quarter involve children under 5 years old. The absence of adult supervision is a key factor contributing to child drownings.
“While the decline in drowning deaths is encouraging, every death is one too many,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “This report provides critical data and actionable recommendations to save lives.”
Uneven Progress Across Regions
The reduction in drowning deaths has been uneven across regions. The WHO European Region recorded a 68% drop in the drowning death rate between 2000 and 2021, while the WHO African Region experienced only a 3% decline, maintaining the highest drowning death rate globally at 5.6 per 100,000 people. A lack of national strategies in many African countries is cited as a key challenge, with only 15% having a plan for drowning prevention compared to 45% in Europe.
“Drowning remains a critical public health issue, but progress is achievable when governments collaborate with local partners,” noted Michael R. Bloomberg, WHO Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases and Injuries. “This report highlights the urgent need for countries to adopt effective prevention strategies to save lives.”
Key Prevention Measures and Challenges
The report outlines several community-based drowning prevention measures, including:
- Installing barriers to restrict children’s access to water.
- Providing safe spaces for pre-school children.
- Teaching swimming, water safety, and rescue skills to school-aged children.
- Training individuals in rescue and resuscitation.
- Raising public awareness about drowning risks.
- Enforcing regulations for safe boating and flood management.
While many countries have implemented some of these measures, gaps remain. For instance, only 33% offer national programs for training bystanders in rescue and resuscitation, and just 22% include swimming and water safety in school curricula.
Urgent Action Needed
The report warns that over 7.2 million people, predominantly children, could die by drowning by 2050 if current trends persist. Improved data collection and stronger legislation are essential for effective prevention. Only 65% of countries currently track drowning data, and just 14% have laws requiring fencing around swimming pools to prevent child drownings.
The WHO calls for a coordinated global response to address these disparities and protect vulnerable populations. With increased investment and collaboration, it is possible to make drowning prevention more equitable and save thousands of lives annually. (LankaXpress)
