Addressing the Global Burden of Drowning: Insights from WHO’s First Global Status Report

Sub: Sci

Sec: Health

Why in News

The World Health Organization (WHO) released its first-ever Global Status Report on Drowning Prevention at an event in Geneva. The report provides critical insights into the global burden of drowning, emphasizing the need for urgent action to prevent these preventable deaths.

Key Highlights of the Report:

The report, developed in response to a World Health Assembly Resolution 76.18 (2023) and funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies.
Drowning Statistics: In 2021, 3,00,000 people died by drowning globally, equivalent to an estimated 30 deaths per hour. 92% of these deaths occurred in low- and middle-income countries, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities.
Regional Analysis: The WHO South-East Asia Region (which includes India) accounted for 83,000 deaths, representing 28% of the global burden.
Children and Youth at Risk: Children under 5 years accounted for the largest share of drowning deaths (24%). Additional 19% of deaths occurred among children aged 5–14 years, and 14% among young people aged 15–29 years.
Drowning is the 4th leading cause of death for children aged 1–4 years and the 3rd leading cause of death for children aged 5–14 years.

Challenges and Underreporting:

Deaths due to drowning caused by natural disasters (e.g., flooding) or water transport incidents are not fully captured due to insufficient data.
Vulnerability to flooding is rising because of climate change, with 75% of flood-related deaths attributed to drowning.
If current trends persist, over 2 million lives, mainly children, could be lost to drowning by 2050.

Key Recommendations:

Political Will and Investment: Strong political commitment and financial investment in drowning prevention are essential to save lives.
Daycare Services: Providing daycare facilities for preschool children can significantly reduce drowning risks.
Swimming Skills: Teaching basic swimming and water safety skills to schoolchildren can help protect millions of lives.
Legislative Action: Existing legislation often fails to address the scale of the drowning crisis, necessitating policy reforms and enforcement.

About World Health Organization:

Establishment: 7th April 1948 (celebrated as World Health Day)
Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
Objective: International health coordination and collaboration to improve public health globally.
Director-General: Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (Ethiopia, since 2017).

Key Functions:

Governance Structure:

World Health Assembly (WHA): Decision-making body consisting of all 194 member states.
Executive Board: 34 health experts from member states implementing WHA decisions.
Director-General: Oversees daily functioning and initiatives.