TY - JOUR PY - 2014// TI - Racial and ethnic disparities in fatal unintentional drowning among persons less than 30 years of age--United States, 1999-2010 JO - Journal of safety research A1 - Gilchrist, Julie A1 - Parker, Erin M. SP - 139 EP - 142 VL - 50 IS - N2 - 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.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 0022-4375 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2014.06.001 ID - ref1 ER -