African American Children More Prone to Drowning in Swimming Pools: CDC

African-American children are thrice more likely to die by drowning in swimming pools than their white counter parts, according a recent government study.

Unintentional drowning is the fifth leading cause of death and injuries in Americans of all age groups. Experts at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found children aged about 14 years or younger being prone to accidental drowning in swimming pools or while taking part in water sport activities. In their recent analysis, the researchers noted African-American children aged between five and 14 years have three times increased chances of dying or being hospitalized for water-related injuries.

Their survey reports revealed 80 percent of the drowning rates are common among males and almost 30 percent of toddlers aged between one and four years died from drowning in 2009.  

Furthermore, the study found majority of deaths and accidents occurred in swimming pools than in lakes or other water bodies. The risk rate of dying in swimming pools were 5.5 times higher for African-American aged between five and 19 years as compared to white children and adolescents. But, this disparity is greatest among children aged between 11 and 12 years, who were 10 times more prone to drowning in private and public pools than their peers from different ethnicity.

This suggests that majority of the deceased or injured African-American children did not know swimming or adhere to simple rules like wearing life jackets or accompanying elders and yet took part in water-related recreational activities. Intake of alcohol by adolescents and adults is responsible for 70 percent of deaths by water-related recreation. In addition, the study warns that lack of supervision and lining the pools with safety fences gives children access to swimming pool who recklessly indulge in risky activities. Although many survive and overcome the drowning trauma, they may suffer from brain damages that lead to long term disabilities like memory loss, learning difficulties and even cause immobility.

"Swimming is s life-saving skill and not just another sport," said Julie Gilchrist, the study author from CDC, reports the NBC news.

Gilchrist explains the cultural differences are because white parents and care-givers spend more time in recreational activities in pools and beaches ensuring their children know swimming.

The agency's previous reports show a total of 21,000 children and teens had drowned between 1999 and 2010. About 40 percent of the victims were mainly African American children. The drowning rates   for Hispanics was same as that of Whites but, a little lower for Asians.