Julie Gilchrist1, Erin M Parker2. 1. Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, CDC, 4770 Buford Hwy, Mailstop F62, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA. Electronic address: jrg7@cdc.gov. 2. Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, CDC, 4770 Buford Hwy, Mailstop F62, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA. Electronic address: eparker@cdc.gov.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In the U.S., almost 4,000 persons die from drowning annually. Among those 0-29 years, drowning is in the top three causes of unintentional injury death. METHODS: To describe racial/ethnic differences in drowning rates by age of decedent and drowning setting, CDC analyzed 12 years of mortality data from 1999 through 2010 for those ≤29 years. RESULTS: Compared to whites, American Indians/Alaska Natives were twice, and blacks were 1.4 times, as likely to drown. Disparities were greatest in swimming pool settings, with drowning rates among blacks aged 5-19 years 5.5 times higher than those among whites. CONCLUSIONS: Drowning rates for black children and teens are higher than those of other race/ethnicities, especially in swimming pools. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The practicality and effectiveness of current drowning prevention strategies varies by setting; however, basic swimming skills can be beneficial across all settings and may help reduce racial disparities. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
BACKGROUND: In the U.S., almost 4,000 persons die from drowning annually. Among those 0-29 years, drowning is in the top three causes of unintentional injury death. METHODS: To describe racial/ethnic differences in drowning rates by age of decedent and drowning setting, CDC analyzed 12 years of mortality data from 1999 through 2010 for those ≤29 years. RESULTS: Compared to whites, American Indians/Alaska Natives were twice, and blacks were 1.4 times, as likely to drown. Disparities were greatest in swimming pool settings, with drowning rates among blacks aged 5-19 years 5.5 times higher than those among whites. CONCLUSIONS: Drowning rates for black children and teens are higher than those of other race/ethnicities, especially in swimming pools. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The practicality and effectiveness of current drowning prevention strategies varies by setting; however, basic swimming skills can be beneficial across all settings and may help reduce racial disparities. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Entities:
Keywords:
Children; Natural water; Swimming pool; Young adults
Authors: Carmen Ramos Irizarry; Patrick C Hardigan; Mark G Mc Kenney; Gretchen Holmes; Rudy Flores; Brenda Benson; Ascension M Torres Journal: Inj Epidemiol Date: 2017-04-17