Study: Black children and teens drown in swimming pools at 5 times the rate of whites

NEW YORK, N.Y. – A new study shows swimming pools are a much greater danger to black children and teens than they are to other kids.

The report found black children ages 5 to 19 drowned in swimming pools at a rate more than five times that of white children. Previous research has suggested that’s because fewer blacks know how to swim.

The differences were smaller in lakes or other bodies of water. Experts think that’s because relatively few blacks go boating or participate in other water activities.

Drowning is a major cause of death in children and young adults. The new report was released Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Online:

CDC report: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr

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