Global report on drowning

Drowning is a serious and neglected public health threat claiming the lives of 372,000 people a year worldwide. More than 90% of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. This death toll is almost two thirds that of malnutrition and well over half that of malaria – but unlike these public health challenges, there are no broad prevention efforts that target drowning. Drowning is preventable. Proven strategies implemented at household, community and national level range from teaching basic swim skills and installing barriers that control exposure to water hazards, to providing safe spaces for children such as crèches and learning about safe rescue. Tailored to individual settings and risk groups, countries should take steps to improve data on drowning mortality and morbidity, and establish a national water safety plan. Drowning is a multisectoral issue. Drowning prevention strategies have much in common with other public health agendas including safe water supply, rural development, disaster risk management and child health. More must be done to maximize these synergies. Given the multisectoral nature of drowning, a global partnership for drowning prevention should be established in order to serve as a policy and implementation leadership community for the issue of drowning prevention. In summary, donors and governments must prioritize drowning prevention, and its integration with other public health agendas.