WHO launches seven strategies to prevent drowning

Ahead of World Drowning Prevention Day on 25 July, the World Health Organization (WHO) is launching a new technical package to help governments and communities implement seven proven measures to reduce drowning deaths.

Nearly 300,000 people die from drowning worldwide each year, and drowning remains the top ten cause of death for children aged 5 to 14. Many of these deaths occur in rivers, lakes, wells, domestic water tanks and swimming pools. More than 90% of drowning deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.

Climate change increases the risk of drowning. Extreme weather events such as floods, storms and heat waves are becoming more frequent, contributing to a higher risk of drowning. Studies show a strong link between heat waves and drowning. In the UK, for example, research has shown that drowning deaths increase by 7.2% for every 1°C rise in temperature. The risk is also almost five times greater on days when temperatures exceed 25°C compared to days below 10°C.

“Every drowning is a tragedy, and most are preventable,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general. “The seven PROTECT strategies give countries practical, evidence-based approaches to preventing these tragedies, including making water safer, teaching school children to swim and preparing for floods. Drowning prevention is not the job of one ministry; it belongs to everyone, and the lives it saves are the reward.”

Seven strategies, packaged under the acronym PROTECT, translate the vision of the first ever Global strategy for the prevention of drowning into practical, actionable policy guidelines. The 2025 strategy was launched by the Global Alliance for Drowning Prevention hosted by WHO. The PROTECT package provides policy makers with concrete, evidence-based recommendations in seven interrelated domains to strengthen water security:

• Pphysical infrastructure that promotes safe interaction with water;
• Rrescue and resuscitation capability for bystanders and professionals;
• ONprotection at work when working around water;
• Tsafety standards of transportation for navigation;
• Eeducation on the basics of swimming and water safety;
• Cchild care systems and ensure protection; and
• Tfull preparedness for floods and other emergency situations from multiple hazards.

The PROTECT package was launched in Ghana in recognition of the country’s increasing political commitment to drowning prevention and its ongoing efforts to strengthen water safety. In Ghana, an estimated 1,100 people die annually from drowning, with children and young adults disproportionately affected. That equates to roughly three deaths every day.

The launch highlights Ghana’s growing leadership role in addressing this preventable tragedy and underscores the need for other governments to adopt evidence-based policies that reduce drowning deaths and protect vulnerable communities.

The launch also builds on more than a decade of collaboration between WHO, governments and partners to advance evidence-based action on drowning prevention worldwide.

“This framework will save lives while building on the progress that governments around the world are making to prevent drowning deaths in their countries,” said Dr. Kelly Henning, director of the public health program at Bloomberg Philanthropies. “Bloomberg Philanthropies has worked with governments around the world to implement proven, effective strategies that reduce drowning deaths. We applaud the World Health Organization for its leadership on this issue and look forward to continuing to support it and local governments as they use the PROTECT technical suite.”

Since 2014, Bloomberg Philanthropies has partnered with WHO on drowning prevention, supporting the development of core resources that have guided global best practices for preventive interventions, including the PROTECT technical package.

The theme of this year’s World Drowning Prevention Day “Unite to Turn the Tide” reflects the need for coordinated action across governments, sectors and communities to prevent drowning and save lives.