WHO
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 160 people drown each day in China, and drowning is the leading cause of death among children aged 5-14 years. These are the findings of a new WHO report released this week, The Global Report on Drowning: Preventing a Leading Killer.
The report identifies drowning as a leading cause of death in young people in many low and middle income countries, including China – which accounts for more than 80% of all drowning deaths in WHO’s Western Pacific Region.
Almost 60,000 people drowned in China in 2012. However, this figure does not include drowning deaths related to suicide, homicide, natural disasters such as typhoons, and flooding and water transport disasters. The report highlights that these additional causes can increase the burden of drowning by a further 50%.
"China has made remarkable progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goal 4 target of a two-thirds reduction in under-five child mortality, well ahead of schedule," said Dr Bernhard Schwartländer, WHO Representative in China.
“In doing so, the impact of previously hidden causes of death in children, such as drowning, have become far more apparent,” Dr Schwartländer said.
The underlying message of this milestone first global report on drowning, is that drowning deaths can be prevented. Interventions such as installing barriers to control access to water, providing safe places for children to play while their parents work, teaching children basic survival swimming skills, and training bystanders in safe rescue and resuscitation are all successful strategies for preventing drowning. At the national level, important strategies for preventing drowning include enforcement of safety regulations for water transport vessels, building flood resilience, and developing comprehensive water safety policies.
The global report describes drowning prevention projects in a number of low- and middle-income countries including Cambodia, the Philippines, Viet Nam and China. The report recommends systematic implementation and monitoring of efforts to identify best practices and scale up successful interventions.
“The evidence-based community actions recommended by WHO could save the lives of thousands of the most vulnerable children in China,” concluded Dr Schwartländer.
About the World Health Organization
WHO is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends.
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