Drowning deaths decline in the Western Pacific, but urgent action is still needed

Despite significant progress in reducing drowning deaths in the Western Pacific Region, 84 000 lives are still lost to drowning every year, with many of these deaths occurring in children and young people. Drowning is currently the leading cause of death for children aged 5-14 years in the Region. Compared to the rest of the world, the Western Pacific bears the heaviest burden of drowning deaths, comprising 30% of the global total.

Recognizing the necessity of addressing drowning as a preventable public health issue, both the 2021 United Nations General Assembly resolution on drowning prevention and the 2023 World Health Assembly resolution called for urgent, multisectoral efforts to reduce drowning deaths.

Today, the World Health Organization (WHO) launches the Global status report on drowning prevention 2024, a landmark publication that highlights the ongoing global challenge of drowning and provides strategies for action.

The report builds on the last two decades of advocacy and evidence on drowning prevention. In the Western Pacific Region, progress has been significant, with drowning rates declining by 38% since 2000. "This global work builds on the hard efforts made in our Region, such as the 2021 Regional Status Report on Drowning in the Western Pacific," said Dr Saia Ma'u Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific.

However, despite this progress, the number of drowning deaths remains unacceptably high. Speaking on the significance of the new global report, Dr Piukala said, "The report provides an important benchmark for tracking progress and emphasizes the need for multisectoral collaboration to save lives. We are deeply grateful for the contributions of so many partners across the Region, whose dedication is vital in reducing the burden of drowning and protecting lives. Together, we can build safer environments and make meaningful progress in preventing this tragic loss of life."

WHO is calling for action at all levels to prevent drowning. Simple yet effective measures for individuals include:

• Supervising children at all times when they are in or near water.
• Enrolling in swimming and water safety classes if available in your community.
• Avoiding alcohol near water to ensure alertness in emergencies.
• Wearing a lifejacket when boating and checking the weather conditions beforehand.
• Learning CPR-a skill that can save lives in critical situations.

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