Drowning is the leading cause of death among children ages 1 to 4 in the United States, and it’s getting worse.
After years of declining rates, child drowning deaths have increased since the Covid-19 pandemic, perhaps because of disruptions to swimming lessons and public pool access. This trend has renewed concern among pediatricians and parents.
These tragedies are largely preventable when families and communities use multiple layers of protection, according to a recent American Academy of Pediatrics report that reviewed the latest evidence on drowning prevention.
To help understand what parents and caregivers should know, I spoke with CNN wellness medical expert Dr. Leana Wen, who is also the mother of two young children. Wen is an emergency physician and clinical associate professor at George Washington University. She previously was Baltimore’s health commissioner.
CNN: Why is this issue receiving renewed attention now?
