New CDC Research Finds Greatest Risk of Drowning for Young American Indians/Alaska Natives and Blacks

New CDC Research Finds Greatest Risk of Drowning for Young American Indians/Alaska Natives and Blacks



 

CDC MMWR: Young American Indians/Alaska Natives and Blacks are at Greatest Risk of Drowning: Injury Center News Drowning risk is highest among American Indians/Alaska Natives and blacks younger than age 30, according to this week’s edition of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). The findings are based on an analysis of 12 years of data (1999-2010). American Indians/Alaska Natives are 2 times more likely to drown than whites, while blacks are 1.4 times more likely to drown than whites. Differences in drowning risk are greatest in swimming pools, as black youth (ages 5-19) are 5.5 times more likely to drown than white youth. The greatest difference is at age 11-12, when black children drown in swimming pools at 10 times the rate of white children. Learning basic swimming skills, using pool fencing and lifejackets, and keeping close watch of children and teens around water are all important ways to lower the risk of drowning. Learn More MMWR: Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Fatal Unintentional Drowning Among Persons Aged ≤29 Years — United States, 1999–2010 CDC Injury Center: Unintentional Drowning