CDC Reduces Support Team Aimed at Reducing Black Drownings: A Cause for Concern

The alarming escalation of drowning incidents among Black Americans has become an urgent public health crisis, particularly since 2019. Recent statistics reveal that nearly 40% of Black adults lack swimming skills, with Black youths facing a threefold increased risk of drowning compared to their white counterparts. As summer approaches and swimming facilities reopen, concerns grow, exacerbated by significant cuts made by the Trump administration to the CDC. These reductions effectively dismantled a pivotal team focused on water safety. Sharon Gilmartin, director of Safe States Alliance, emphasizes the critical role the CDC Injury Prevention Center played in addressing racial disparities in drowning rates, which surged by 28% between 2019 and 2021. The resulting void in research and intervention threatens vulnerable populations, highlighting the dire need for comprehensive support in drowning prevention.