• According to new CDC Vital Signs research released today, drowning deaths are on the rise in the United States after decades of reduction.

• Between 2020 and 2022, there were about 4,500 drowning deaths annually—500 more annually than in 2019.

• In the US, drowning is the leading cause of mortality for children aged 1-4.

• These can be reduced by providing accessible swimming instruction.

• In the US, about 40 million adults (15.4%) lack basic swimming skills, and more than half (54.7%) have never taken a class.

• Further, 36.3% of blacks in the US do not know how to swim.

• This may also be associated with an inability to access affordable swimming lessons and other cultural factors, such as discomfort in traditional swimwear.

• The report also suggested a few other measures to reduce the fatalities, including:

1. Constructing and renovating public pools and 

2. Encouraging reasonably priced swimming and 

3. Water safety instruction should be offered by affiliated organizations like the YMCA and the American Red Cross.

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