REMARKS
National drowning statistics and disparities among communities
0:03:51
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88 sec
Council Member Krishnan presents national drowning statistics and highlights the disparities in swimming abilities and access to swim education among different communities. He emphasizes that drowning is a preventable crisis if sufficient resources are allocated to education and outreach.
- Over 4,500 people drown annually in the U.S. (2020-2022 data)
- Drowning is a leading cause of death for children
- 40 million U.S. adults don't know how to swim
- Significant disparities exist among African American, Hispanic, and Asian American communities in swimming abilities and access to swim lessons
- Historically underserved communities have the highest risk of water-related injuries and death
Shekar Krishnan
0:03:51
This crisis is urgent and the moment demands far more serious and comprehensive action from city government.
0:04:00
Now drowning remains a serious public health crisis with over 4500 people drowning each year nationally between 2020 2022.
0:04:10
It is a leading cause of death for children.
0:04:14
However, this is a preventable crisis if we can summon the political will to divert enough resources to education and outreach on swimming and water safety.
0:04:26
This is a question of will, not a question of resources.
0:04:30
To highlight this, over 40,000,000 adults in the United States do not know how to swim.
0:04:37
With 1 in 3 African American adults being unable to swim, 2 in 3 African American adults reporting to never have taken a swimming lesson, and 3 in 4 Hispanic adults reported never taking a swimming lesson.
0:04:56
As well as in our Asian American communities too, the statistics are high and disparate.
0:05:02
It's obvious that communities that have been historically underserved educationally and socioeconomically have the highest risk of water related injuries and death.
0:05:13
In previous hearings and other work conducted by this committee, we have highlighted why this is the case.
