NPR Highlights Suffolk County’s Drowning Prevention Response

Suffolk County’s drowning crisis and our new action plan were highlighted on NPR’s The Long Island Daily podcast on September 2, 2025, bringing important attention to this public health emergency.

The Crisis That Demanded Action

As Jamie Ryan, a pediatric nurse and injury prevention professional at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital, told NPR: “New York State has the fourth-highest drowning statistic across the U.S., and Suffolk County was identified as having a 60% increase in drownings from 2023 to 2024.”

Most alarming, Suffolk County now accounts for 70% of all fatal drownings in swimming pools in New York State.

Community Response

Ryan explained that Stony Brook was approached by The ZAC Foundation to create a drowning prevention alliance “because Suffolk was identified as having the greatest need.” The plan brings together water safety nonprofits, including Stop Drowning Now, Stony Brook Medicine, community groups and governmental entities.

Learn more about our water safety strategies in the Suffolk County Drowning Prevention Action Plan.