A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has revealed a significant disparity in swimming ability among adults in the United States, with potentially life-threatening consequences. According to the study, one in four Latino adults (26%) do not know how to swim, compared to only 6% of white adults. This stark difference highlights a concerning inequality that puts a substantial portion of the population at risk of drowning.
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The report, titled “Vital Signs: Drowning Death Rates, Self-Reported Swimming Ability, Swimming Lesson Participation, and Recreational Water Exposure — United States, 2019-2023,” also found that 72% of Hispanic adults have never taken a swimming class. This lack of formal instruction further increases their risk of drowning. The study shows that only 28.1% of Latino adults have participated in swimming lessons, compared to 51.8% of white adults.
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These disparities are reflected in drowning statistics across the United States. Drowning remains the leading cause of unintentional death for children ages 1 to 4 and the second leading cause for children ages 5 to 14. Approximately 4,000 people die each year from unintentional drowning in the country, with some population groups disproportionately affected.
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In North Carolina, similar trends are observed. Between 2022 and 2024, Hispanics represented a significant portion of drowning deaths, with percentages ranging from 8.61% to 9.68%. While the non-Hispanic white population shows the highest percentage of drowning deaths, followed by the black community, the Hispanic community faces unique challenges in water safety access and education.
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These findings underscore the urgent need for culturally appropriate intervention strategies to address these disparities and improve water safety education and access for all communities, with a particular focus on the Hispanic population.
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See “One in four Latino adults in the United States does not know how to swim” (June 22, 2024)
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