On World Drowning Prevention Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) is unveiling an investment case that demonstrates the significant impact of two simple actions: investing in daycare for preschoolers and teaching basic swimming skills to school-age children. These measures have the potential to save millions of lives, with each dollar invested yielding up to nine times its original value.
Drowning is a serious public health issue that often goes unrecognized. In the past decade alone, it has claimed the lives of over 2.5 million people, predominantly in low- and middle-income countries. Children aged 1-4 and 5-9 are particularly vulnerable, highlighting the urgent need for action to protect future generations.
Fortunately, effective solutions are within reach. The investment case reveals that by 2050, increased global investment in these two interventions could save the lives of over 774,000 children and prevent nearly 1 million non-fatal child drownings. Additionally, it would spare 178,000 drowning victims from severe and life-limiting injuries.
Furthermore, these measures could prevent economic losses exceeding US$400 billion in countries with high burdens, while providing cumulative benefits valued at around US$9 for every US$1 invested. Several countries, including Bangladesh, South Africa, Thailand, and Vietnam, have already embraced these cost-effective interventions. By doing so, they have reduced the risk of drowning for children and their families, while also generating opportunities for improved health, development, and well-being.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of WHO, emphasizes the importance of implementing preventive measures and increasing investments to save lives. As World Drowning Prevention Day beckons, he calls upon countries and partners to unite in making drowning prevention a global priority.
In May 2023, the World Health Assembly adopted its first-ever resolution on drowning prevention. This landmark resolution tasks WHO with spearheading efforts within the United Nations to prevent drowning and commemorate World Drowning Prevention Day on July 25th each year.
In response to this resolution, WHO is launching the Global Alliance for Drowning Prevention. This collaborative network of partners will work together to coordinate, strengthen, enhance, and expand efforts to prevent drowning deaths, in alignment with WHO’s priorities. The Alliance operates on principles such as alignment and coordination, agility and responsiveness, driving action at the country level, transparency, evidence-based approaches, and coordination among interested parties.
Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg LP and Bloomberg Philanthropies, who also serves as the World Health Organization Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases and Injuries, laments the fact that drowning has claimed the lives of over 2.5 million people in the past decade. He highlights the life-saving potential of proven solutions, such as teaching basic swimming skills and providing child care. Bloomberg Philanthropies, together with partners worldwide, aims to spread this life-saving work and save even more lives.
WHO is also in the process of developing a global status report on drowning prevention, which will provide crucial insights into the impact of drowning and government actions worldwide. This report will empower policymakers and program managers to catalyze further action by implementing low-cost, scalable, and effective drowning prevention interventions recommended by WHO. All 194 Member States are invited to participate in this endeavor.
