Higher Rates of Drownings Seen Among Native American and Black Youths: CDC

New government data reveals rising racial and ethnic disparities for fatal accidental drownings, with rates continuing to rise among Native Americans and Black youths, despite an overall decrease in fatal drownings among the entire population.

In a Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on June 18, researchers analyzed U.S. mortality data from 1999 to 2019, finding an increase in disparities in drowning death rates between non-Hispanic Black and White persons increased from 2005 to 2019.

From 1999 to 2019, there were 34,315 persons aged 29 and younger who died from drowning in the United States, and the rate was two times higher among American Indian or Alaska Native persons and 1.5 times higher among non-Hispanic Black persons.

According to researchers, many factors contribute to the increased risks for drownings for all people, including behavior, skill, environment, and underlying medical conditions. Regarding racial and ethnic differences, drowning death rates might reflect variation in these or other social or cultural factors among groups.

For example, the research suggests Black persons report more limited swimming ability than members of other groups. This disparity in swimming ability has persisted over time. Racial differences in fear of drowning have been identified as one factor contributing to limited swimming ability in some Black youths.

Racial and ethnic disparities in drowning deaths differed by setting, which changes what strategies can be used in many situations, but having basic swimming and water safety skills can be beneficial in all settings.

The researchers suggest developing, implementing, and evaluating community-based methods to raise awareness about drowning prevention strategies among disproportionately affected racial/ethnic groups could help reduce disparities.

For safety, researchers suggest installing barriers that prevent unintended access to water, teaching basic swimming and water safety skills, using life jackets properly, active supervision, and knowing and performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

“Drowning is preventable, and more prevention efforts are needed to reduce the racial/ethnic disparities in drowning death rates that persist in the United States,” CDC researchers concluded. “Identification and evaluation of factors contributing to racial/ethnic disparities are crucial to inform the development and implementation of interventions that could effectively reduce disparities.”