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WHO’s Report on Drowning Prevention
Context:
The World Health Organisation (WHO) reported that 300,000 people died by drowning worldwide in 2021, equating to an estimated 30 deaths every hour.
Global Burden and Regional Impact:
- Around 92% of these deaths occurred in low- and middle-income countries, particularly affecting the poor and marginalised.
- The South-East Asia Region (including India) accounted for 28% of the global drowning deaths, with 83,000 deaths.
Key Findings:
- Children and Young People at Risk: Children under five accounted for 24% of drowning deaths, 19% of deaths were among children aged 5 to 14, and 14% among young people aged 15 to 29.
- Drowning is the 4th leading cause of death for children aged 1 to 4 and the 3rd leading cause for children aged 5 to 14.
- Underreporting of Drowning Deaths: The reported figures are an underestimate, as the study does not include drowning deaths from natural disasters (such as flooding) or those related to water transport, mainly due to lack of accurate data.
- Impact of Climate Change: Flooding, exacerbated by climate change, is a major contributor to drowning deaths, with 75% of flooding deaths attributed to drowning. This poses an increasing risk to vulnerable populations.
- Future Projections: If current trends continue, 7.2 million people, mainly children, could die from drowning by 2050. However, almost all drowning deaths are preventable with appropriate interventions.
Drowning Prevention Interventions:
- Training Programs: Only 33% of countries offer national programs to train bystanders in safe rescue and resuscitation.
- Swimming and Water Safety: Just 22% of countries integrate swimming and water safety training into their school curriculum.
- Data Collection: Improving the quality of data collection is essential for accurately tracking and addressing drowning incidents.
Challenges and Considerations:
- Despite progress in some regions, the report highlights that drowning prevention efforts are uneven and need to be scaled up.
- It calls for stronger governance, dedicated lead agencies, and enhanced cross-sectoral collaboration to address this issue effectively.
- The report also stresses the need for better data collection and community-level interventions to ensure equitable safety for all.
Prevention Strategies:
- Installing barriers around water bodies to prevent unsupervised access.
- Providing day care for pre-school children to ensure safe environments.
- Teaching swimming and water safety skills in schools.
- Training bystanders in safe rescue and resuscitation techniques.
- Enforcing laws requiring the use of lifejackets and safe boating regulations.
Conclusion:
The WHO’s report underscores the urgent need for political will and investment in drowning prevention. By implementing evidence-based interventions and improving data collection, countries can save lives and prevent economic losses estimated at $4 trillion by 2050 if current trends continue.
