Among the 1,420 child drowning deaths studied by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), 78 percent of the infants drowned at home. Victims between one and four years of age were more likely (56 percent) to drown in artificial pools. Another 26 percent of the drownings occurred in freshwater lakes and waterways. Children over five were most likely to drown in freshwater: 54 percent, 61 percent, and 69 percent among 5-9, 10-14, and 15-19 year-olds, respectively.

The report shows African American males above the age of five had significantly higher rates of drowning than white males. Drowning deaths in swimming pools were from 12-15 percent higher for African American males than for white males.

"Researchers have known that African American males are at a greater risk for drowning, but we didn't expect this to be due to an increased risk of drowning in swimming pools," said Dr. Brenner. "Additionally, a number of these deaths were in pools accessible to the public, rather than in private residential pools. Public pools hadn't been a big area of concern; however, our results present a very different picture."

Dr. Brenner suggests that African Americans' increased rate of exposure to dangerous situations in pools, such as overcrowding or lack of a lifeguard may contribute to this racial disparity. Differences in swimming ability and availability of swimming lessons may also play a role.

Among females, drowning rates were low after the age of five years, but African American females were also at increased risk of drowning in a swimming pool compared to white females of the same age.

The report also emphasized the vital need for a multi-faceted approach to drowning prevention and cited several recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics:

• Teach all children five years of age and older to swim.
• Provide for constant supervision of infants and young children around all bodies of water.
• Install fencing to separate residential pools from the house.
• Always wear US Coast Guard approved personal floatation devices when riding on a boat.
• Teach children never to swim alone.
• Education children and parents on the dangers of alcohol and drug consumption during aquatic activities.
• Teach all parents and older children CPR.

The NICHD is part of the National Institutes of Health, the biomedical research arm of the federal government. The Institute sponsors research on development before and after birth; maternal, child, and family health; reproductive biology and population issues; and medical rehabilitation. NICHD publications, as well as information about the Institute, are available from the NICHD website, http://www.nichd.nih.gov, or from the NICHD Clearinghouse, 1-800-370-2943; E-mail NICHDClearinghouse@mail.nih.gov.

Additional information on water safety and drowning prevention can be found on the CDC website, http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/r010525.htm.