Understanding and Preventing Drowning

Released in June 2024, a Vital Signs report from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) found that from 2020–2022, more than 4,500 people drowned each year in the United States, approximately 500 more deaths compared to 2019. Drowning risk continues to be highest among American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) persons and Black persons. 

To address this public health problem and tackle the underlying health disparities among people at higher risk, the CDC Foundation and CDC are working to build an evidence base for effective drowning prevention strategies across 10 U.S. pilot states with high rates of drowning: Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, New York, Oklahoma and Texas. These projects include:

  • Basic Swimming and Water Safety Skills Training in the United States: Awarded 20 grants to community organizations in partnership with local school systems across all 10 states to increase access to swimming and water safety lessons for school-age children. Learn more about this impactful program.
  • Strengthening Drowning Data: Identifying opportunities to bolster fatal and nonfatal drowning data collection and surveillance. The CDC Foundation partnered with state health departments in seven states to describe the burden and circumstances of drowning using new and existing data sources. Read the report on drowning in Alaska, California and Michigan.  
     
  • Understanding Disparities in Drowning: Conducting focus group discussions to better understand the cultural and historical drivers of disparities in drowning, with a focus on AIAN and Black persons. Read key findings from focus groups with Black and African American participants in our comprehensive report, Exploring Factors Related to Drowning Risk among Black and African American Persons in Select States. The report presents perspectives and lived experiences and offers considerations to inform culturally responsive drowning prevention strategies. Read the report.
     

  • Analyzing Drowning Policies in the United States: Cataloguing current pool fencing and lifejacket legislation to inform policymakers.
     

Drowning Prevention Webinar Series

The CDC Foundation's Drowning Prevention Webinar Series brings together state and national partners to share data, prevention strategies, promising practices and lessons learned from drowning prevention initiatives across the United States. Find information on past webinars below and links to each report can be found in the sidebar.

June 24, 2026 – Drowning Prevention in Michigan: A Conversation on Data, Partnerships and Action

During this webinar, speakers examined the burden and circumstances of drowning in Michigan and discussed opportunities to strengthen the data, partnerships and prevention efforts needed to reduce drowning across the state. View recording.
 

June 23, 2026 – Understanding and Preventing Drowning in California: A Conversation on Data, Partnerships and Impact

California’s drowning prevention landscape has seen rapid growth in the last five years thanks to tireless advocacy, strategic coalition-building and enhanced dedication to data at the state level. During this webinar, learn more about the CDC Foundation’s Understanding and Preventing Drowning Program’s work to strengthen drowning data and hear from partners engaged in this work. Speakers shared findings on the burden and circumstances of drowning in California and panel discussions discussed the power of collaboration in driving data forward and shared reflections on building and expanding multi-sectoral partnerships. View recording.
 

May 29, 2026 – Drowning Prevention in Alaska: From Data Insights to Strategic Programs

During this webinar, speakers presented trends in fatal drowning and efforts to improve data collection. A panel discussion highlighted current prevention initiatives across the state, including strategies to reach populations at greatest risk. View recording.
 

Basic swimming and water safety skills training grants awarded to:

Program Description: To strengthen the evidence base for effective drowning prevention strategies in 10 states in the United States. Activities include strengthening drowning data collection, conducting focus group discussions in higher-risk communities, cataloging water safety legislation and expanding basic swimming and water safety skills training through community serving organizations.
Funding Partners:
  • Bloomberg Philanthropies
Program Partners:
  • CDC's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
Program Location:
  • United States of America
Unintentional Injury Prevention
Injury & Violence

View MI Report

    

    View CA Report

View AK Report