Promoting swimming lessons, access to safe swimming facilities, and culturally sensitive water safety initiatives can help reduce these disparities. Additionally, data collection and reporting on drowning incidents should be improved to better understand and address disparities within specific regions.
Drowning Statistics
Every year, 3,960 people die due to drowning in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That’s about 11 people a day.
study commissioned by the USA Swimming Foundation and done by researchers at the University of Memphis, 64% of Black children in the United States can’t swim (compared to 40% for white children), and they are almost six times more likely to drown in a swimming pool than white children.
The Texas Department of Family & Protective Services tracks fatal drownings of children, age 17 and younger, in Texas. In 2022 there were at least 76 fatal child drownings. So far this year, Texas has lost at least 64 children to fatal drowning. It is estimated that there are 7 times more non-fatal drownings than fatal drownings for children ages 1-15. In 2022, there were at least 76 fatal child drownings.
Drownings in 2023
