Addressing Demographic Disparities in Drowning
Water safety education saves lives, yet significant disparities exist across gender, age, racial background, socioeconomic status, and geographical location. With 4,500 Americans losing their lives to drowning each year (2019–2022), it is crucial to understand who is most vulnerable in order to better prevent these tragedies in our communities.
Swimming education remains a critical barrier to water safety. While more than half of all U.S. adults (55%) have never taken a swimming lesson, this number rises dramatically among minority communities:
- 63% of African American adults reported never taking a swim lesson
- 72% of Hispanic/Latino adults have never had formal swim instruction
This gap creates a generational impact. When parents can’t swim, their children typically aren’t trained either, affecting:
- 78% of African American children
- 62% of Hispanic/Latino children
Economic factors play a significant role. A striking 79% of children in households earning less than $50,000 annually have few-to-no swimming skills. Additionally, males face twice the drowning risk of females, often due to riskier behaviors around water.
Take Action Today:
- Enroll in swimming lessons – it’s never too late to learn
- Ensure active supervision around water – designate a “water watcher”
- Learn CPR and basic water rescue techniques
- Share water safety resources with friends and family
- Wear a life jacket in or around bodies of water
Every person should have access to education in life-saving water safety skills. Understanding and addressing these gaps is essential for promoting safer communities. By advocating for inclusive water safety education, supporting community swim programs, and promoting awareness of drowning risks, we can work to close these gaps and ensure every community has access to life-saving water safety skills.
Photo courtesy of Debbie Troy