CDC: Drowning top cause of unintentional death among young children
Atlanta – Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death for U.S. children 1-4 years old, according to a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Researchers analyzed death certificate data from the National Vital Statistics System and injury data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System from 2005 to 2009 and found that half of the children in that age range drowned in swimming pools. This age group also accounted for 52.8 percent of all emergency department visits related to swimming incidents.
Researchers recommend public health and medical professionals encourage parents to enroll their children in swimming lessons to reduce the risk of drowning.
The study was published online May 18 in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
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