The World Health Organization (WHO) has unveiled its first-ever report on drowning prevention, marking a significant milestone in global health efforts. The report reveals a remarkable 38% decline in the global drowning death rate since 2000, highlighting the effectiveness of preventive measures. Despite this progress, drowning continues to pose a grave public health challenge, with more than 30 individuals estimated to drown every hour and a staggering 300,000 fatalities reported in 2021 alone.

Almost half of all drowning deaths are among individuals under the age of 29, and a quarter of these fatalities involve children under the age of five. The risk is particularly high for children left unsupervised near water. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the progress as both encouraging and sobering, emphasizing that every drowning death is a preventable tragedy. He called for urgent, data-driven action to save lives and protect those most at risk.

However, the report highlights stark disparities in progress across regions. The WHO European Region witnessed a 68% decline in drowning deaths between 2000 and 2021, while the WHO African Region experienced a reduction of just 3%, maintaining the highest drowning death rate of any region at 5.6 deaths per 100,000 people. The disparity underscores the critical role of national commitment and resource allocation, as evidenced by only 15% of countries in the African Region having a national drowning prevention strategy compared to 45% in the European Region.

Michael R. Bloomberg, WHO Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases and Injuries, underlined the importance of partnerships between governments and local organizations in addressing this issue. Reflecting on the decade-long support provided by Bloomberg Philanthropies for drowning prevention efforts, he urged more countries to adopt evidence-based measures to save thousands of lives annually.

The report warns that, if current trends persist, more than 7.2 million people, primarily children, could die by drowning by 2050. Most of these deaths, however, could be prevented through the implementation of WHO-recommended strategies. These include creating barriers to restrict water access for children, ensuring safe play areas away from water, teaching swimming and water safety skills, training in rescue and resuscitation techniques, and enhancing public awareness. Additionally, regulations for safe boating and improved flood risk management remain vital.

Despite promising initiatives, gaps in implementation persist. While search and rescue services and community-based flood mitigation programs are present in over 70% of countries, fewer than a third have national programs for bystander rescue training, and less than a quarter incorporate swimming and water safety education into school curricula.

The report also underscores the importance of accurate data collection to inform prevention strategies and mobilize action. Alarmingly, only 65% of countries gather drowning data through civil registration systems. Legislative shortcomings compound the issue, with many nations lacking stringent laws for water safety. For instance, although over 80% of countries have safety laws for passenger boating, fewer than half mandate regular safety inspections, and only two-thirds enforce lifejacket use. Moreover, an overwhelming 86% of countries do not require fencing around swimming pools, a critical measure to safeguard children.

In response to a Member State request through World Health Assembly Resolution 76.18 (2023), the report offers a comprehensive benchmark for global efforts in drowning prevention. It calls for a coordinated, all-encompassing societal approach to ensure equitable progress across regions. By fostering collaboration and increasing investment, countries can better protect vulnerable populations and turn the promising trends into universal realities.

As the WHO report concludes, with sustained commitment and urgent action, the vision of preventing drowning deaths globally can be realized, bringing hope and safety to countless families and communities.