WHO Publishes Report on Drowning Prevention: Global Death Rate Drops by 38% Since 2000, But Challenges Persist

Despite the progress, drowning remains a leading global health issue, with over 300,000 deaths reported in 2021—equating to more than 30 fatalities every hour.

The World Health Organization (WHO) released its inaugural report on drowning prevention, marking a significant milestone in global public health. The report reveals a 38% reduction in global drowning death rates since 2000, showcasing effective interventions while emphasizing the ongoing urgency of addressing this preventable cause of death.

Despite the progress, drowning remains a leading global health issue, with over 300,000 deaths reported in 2021—equating to more than 30 fatalities every hour. Alarmingly, nearly half of these deaths occur among individuals under the age of 29, and 25% involve children under five years old. Unsupervised children are particularly vulnerable.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, lauded the progress but stressed the need for continued action:

"Every drowning death is one too many. This report provides vital data for policymakers and offers recommendations to prevent these tragedies."

Regional Disparities in Progress

The report underscores significant regional disparities in drowning prevention efforts. The WHO European Region achieved a 68% reduction in drowning death rates between 2000 and 2021, while the African Region saw only a 3% decline, maintaining the highest global drowning rate at 5.6 deaths per 100,000 people.

Inadequate national strategies contribute to these disparities. Only 15% of African countries have a drowning prevention strategy, compared to 45% in Europe.

Michael R. Bloomberg, WHO Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases and Injuries, highlighted the importance of local partnerships:

"Progress is achievable, especially when governments collaborate with community-based organizations. This report offers a roadmap for countries to save thousands of lives annually."

WHO Recommendations and Their Implementation

The report outlines evidence-based interventions that can dramatically reduce drowning deaths. These include:

• Installing barriers to limit child access to water.
• Providing safe play areas away from water for preschool children.
• Teaching swimming, water safety, and rescue skills to school-aged children.
• Training in rescue and resuscitation techniques.
• Strengthening public awareness and education campaigns.
• Enforcing regulations for safe boating and flood risk management.

While 73% of countries have search and rescue services and flood mitigation programs, only 33% train bystanders in rescue techniques, and just 22% incorporate swimming and water safety into school curricula.

Data and Legislation: Gaps and Opportunities

Accurate data collection is critical for effective drowning prevention. However, only 65% of countries systematically track drowning incidents through civil registration and vital statistics systems.

In terms of legislation, 81% of countries have boating safety laws, but enforcement gaps remain:

• Only 44% require regular boat safety inspections.
• Just 66% mandate lifejacket use for recreational boating.
• A concerning 86% lack laws requiring fencing around swimming pools, a proven measure to prevent child drowning.

Call for Global Action

The WHO report, developed in response to a World Health Assembly resolution, serves as a benchmark for tracking progress and highlights the need for a coordinated, whole-of-society approach to drowning prevention.

With over 7.2 million potential drowning deaths projected by 2050 if current trends persist, the report emphasizes the critical need for increased investment and collaboration to protect the most vulnerable populations. Through equitable and sustained efforts, the promising downward trends in drowning fatalities can become a global reality.