Racial and ethnic disparities in fatal unintentional drowning among persons less than 30 years of age — United States, 1999–2010

•This is the first report to examine racial/ethnic disparities in fatal drowning rates by age and drowning setting.•Overall, among those ≤29 years, American Indians/Alaska Natives were twice as likely, and blacks 1.4 times as likely, to drown as whites.•The disparity increased when only drowning deaths in swimming pools were considered. Blacks aged 5–19 years were 5.5 times more likely to drown in a swimming pool than their white peers, and at ages 11–12 years, blacks drowned in swimming pools at 10 times the rate of whites.•Prior research suggests that swimming skills can be life-saving. The disparity in self-reported swimming skills among black children and adults might help to explain the disparity in drowning rates and should be addressed through support of swimming lessons and other proven interventions.

BackgroundIn 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.MethodsTo 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.ResultsCompared 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.ConclusionsDrowning rates for black children and teens are higher than those of other race/ethnicities, especially in swimming pools.Practical applicationThe 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.