Citation

Gilchrist J, Parker EM. J. Saf. Res. 2014; 50: 139-142.

Affiliation

Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, CDC, 4770 Buford Hwy, Mailstop F62, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA. Electronic address: eparker@cdc.gov.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, U.S. National Safety Council, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jsr.2014.06.001

PMID

25142370

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In the U.S., almost 4,000 persons die from drowning annually. Among those 0-29 years, drowning is in the top three causes of unintentional injury death.

METHODS: To describe racial/ethnic differences in drowning rates by age of decedent and drowning setting, CDC analyzed 12 years of mortality data from 1999 through 2010 for those ≤29 years.

RESULTS: Compared to whites, American Indians/Alaska Natives were twice, and blacks were 1.4 times, as likely to drown. Disparities were greatest in swimming pool settings, with drowning rates among blacks aged 5-19 years 5.5 times higher than those among whites.

CONCLUSIONS: Drowning rates for black children and teens are higher than those of other race/ethnicities, especially in swimming pools. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The practicality and effectiveness of current drowning prevention strategies varies by setting; however, basic swimming skills can be beneficial across all settings and may help reduce racial disparities.

Language: en