Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Report: Males Ages 15-19 Are 10 Times More Likely To Drown Than Girls
CNN: This Group Of Children Is Up To 10 Times More Likely To Drown Than Others, A Report Finds
Drowning is one of the leading causes of unintentional injury-related death for children ages 1 to 19 in the United States, but some children have a significantly higher chance of drowning than others. Teenage boys ages 15 to 19 are 10 times more likely to drown than girls, according to a July report published by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The report said it could be due to multiple factors, including boys overestimating their swimming abilities more than girls or greater alcohol use among boys compared to girls. (Marples, 7/21)
KSHB: Drowning Prevention Group Hopes To Build Momentum On Olympic Swimming
As the world watches swimmers compete in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games this summer, an American-based nonprofit is reminding viewers water safety is a year-round commitment. “Water never goes away,” said Jim Spiers, president of Stop Drowning Now. “The lakes are still there in the winter, and the rivers are still there in the winter, the ponds are still there, some pools don't get drained. Water never goes away. So water safety is a year round thing you should be focused on not just when the Olympics come around.” (Keegan, 7/22)
NPR: 7 Ways To Prevent Or Save A Child From Drowning As Summer Heats Up
Unfortunately, research shows that in the majority of drowning cases, the child was being supervised by an adult when the accident happened. So, as our summer of post-vaccination reunions and vacations heats up, remember just how vulnerable kids are in water. The rate of admissions for nonfatal drownings at the Arnold Palmer Children's Hospital in Orlando, for example, was already double in May what it was in the last three years at that same time. Among basic water supervision precautions, a few potentially life-saving details are often overlooked. Here are some essentials to help keep our young swimmers safe this summer. (Kendrick, 7/3)
ABC News: 14-Year-Old Girl Drowns At Ohio Water Park
A 14-year-old girl died Tuesday evening after she was pulled from the water at an Ohio theme park, officials said. Police were called to the Land of Illusion Aqua Adventure Park in Middletown after the teen went under water and did not surface, the Butler County Sheriff's Office said. ... In a statement released on its Facebook page, Land of Illusion's owners said it closed down the water park and is cooperating with investigators to determine what happened. (Pererira, 7/21)
The Boston Globe: 17-Year-Old Swimmer Drowns In Squannacook River In Groton
A 17-year-old boy drowned Wednesday in the Squannacook River near the Bertozzi Wildlife Management Area in Groton, officials said. According to a preliminary investigation, a group of five friends were jumping in and out of the river from a rope swing when the teen went underwater at 3:19 p.m. and did not resurface, the Middlesex District Attorney’s office said. Fire Department personnel found the boy at 4:32 p.m. and he was taken to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His identity was not released. (Fox, 7/21)
