Divergent trends in childhood drowning rates, 1971 through 1988

R. A. Brenner, G. S. Smith and M. D. Overpeck
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, Md. 20892.

OBJECTIVE. To examine national age-, race-, and sex-specific trends in unintentional drowning rates among US children aged 0 through 19 years. DESIGN. National mortality data published by the National Center for Health Statistics and population data from the US Bureau of the Census were used in calculating age-, race-, and sex-specific drowning rates for 1971 through 1988. Time trends were analyzed using Poisson regression techniques. SETTING. United States, 1971 through 1988. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE. Rates of death due to unintentional, non-boat-related drowning. RESULTS. From 1971 through 1988, there were 45,680 unintentional, non-boat-related drowning deaths among 0- through 19-year-olds in the United States. Drowning rates declined sharply in older children (-5.8% per year in 10- through 14-year-olds and -5.4% per year in 15- through 19-year-olds), declined only slightly in toddlers (-1.6% per year in 1- and 2-year-olds), and actually increased in infants (+1.6% per year in those children younger than 1 year). CONCLUSION. Drowning rates in toddlers have changed little over time despite the availability of effective prevention strategies such as pool fencing. In older children, drowning rates have declined dramatically despite the lack of clear preventive initiatives. Prevention interventions targeted specifically at the infant and toddler age groups should receive priority.

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES

Child drowning deaths in Xiamen city and suburbs, People's Republic of China, 2001 5
Fang et al.
Inj. Prev. 2007;13:339-343.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Swimming Pool Drownings Among US Residents Aged 5-24 Years: Understanding Racial/Ethnic Disparities
Saluja et al.
Am. J. Public Health 2006;96:728-733.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Unintentional drowning in Finland 1970-2000: a population-based study
Lunetta et al.
Int J Epidemiol 2004;33:1053-1063.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Prevention of Drowning in Infants, Children, and Adolescents
Brenner and Committee on Injury, Violence, and Poison Preventi
Pediatrics 2003;112:440-445.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Childhood drowning is a global concern
Brenner
BMJ 2002;324:1049-1050.
FULL TEXT  

Rates of Pediatric and Adolescent Injuries by Year of Age
Agran et al.
Pediatrics 2001;108:e45-45.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Where Children Drown, United States, 1995
Brenner et al.
Pediatrics 2001;108:85-89.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

The Relationship Between Lead Exposure and Homicide
Stretesky and Lynch
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2001;155:579-582.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Toddler drowning in domestic swimming pools
Blum and Shield
Inj. Prev. 2000;6:288-290.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Trends in Unintentional Drowning: The Role of Alcohol and Medical Care
Cummings and Quan
JAMA 1999;281:2198-2202.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Declines in Drowning: Exploring the Epidemiology of Favorable Trends
Smith and Howland
JAMA 1999;281:2245-2247.
FULL TEXT  

Childhood Drownings and Fencing of Outdoor Pools in the United States, 1994
Logan et al.
Pediatrics 1998;101 :e3-e3.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

The Role of Bathtub Seats and Rings in Infant Drowning Deaths
Rauchschwalbe et al.
Pediatrics 1997;100:e1-e1.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Injury Prevention- Second of Two Parts
Rivara et al.
NEJM 1997;337:613-618.
FULL TEXT  

Prevention of Pediatric Drowning and Near-drowning: A Survey of Members of the American Academy of Pediatrics
O'Flaherty and Pirie
Pediatrics 1997;99:169-174.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT