How to Prevent Drowning: A Ground-Breaking Report That's Startling Yet Hopeful

A new WHO report reveals drowning claims over 300,000 lives annually, primarily among children under 14, making it a leading cause of child mortality. Despite its devastating toll, nearly all drowning deaths are preventable. The report highlights cost-effective, scalable solutions, such as using soda bottles as flotation devices and introducing community-based swimming lessons and barriers to access water.

Programs in Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Uganda have demonstrated the success of these interventions, reducing drowning rates by 38% since 2000. However, climate change and inadequate safety measures continue to exacerbate the issue. This report underscores drowning as a public health crisis requiring urgent global attention and action. Read more from NPR here.