Drowning: Global Burden, Risk Factors, and Prevention Strategies

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aminur Rahman ◽  
Amy E. Peden ◽  
Lamisa Ashraf ◽  
Daniel Ryan ◽  
Al-Amin Bhuiyan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Community Education ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Transport Systems ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
Effective Prevention ◽  
Drowning Prevention ◽  
Populations At Risk ◽  
Passive Surveillance System ◽  
Specific Implementation

Drowning has been described as a major global public health problem and has recently been acknowledged by a United Nations Declaration on Global Drowning Prevention. While drowning impacts countries of all income levels, the burden is overwhelmingly borne by low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) who account for 90% of the global death toll. In addition, there is scarce data collection on drowning in LMICs, so the magnitude of drowning may be far greater than is represented. A range of factors including sex, age, education, income, access to water, a lack of swimming skills, certain occupations like commercial fishing, geographically isolated and flood-prone locations, preexisting medical conditions, and unsafe water transport systems, influence the risk of drowning. Some behavioral factors, such as alcohol or drug consumption, not wearing life jackets, and engaging in risky behaviors such as swimming or boating alone, increase drowning risk. Geopolitical factors such as migration and armed conflict can also impact drowning risk. There is a growing body of evidence on drowning prevention strategies. These include pre-event interventions such as pool fencing, enhancing community education and awareness, providing swimming lessons, use of lifejackets, close supervision of children by adults, and boating regulations. Interventions to reduce harm from drowning include appropriate training for recognition of a drowning event, rescue, and resuscitation. An active and/or passive surveillance system for drowning, focusing on individual settings and targeting populations at risk, is required. Drowning requires coordinated multisectoral action to provide effective prevention, rescue, and treatment. Therefore, all countries should aim to develop a national water safety plan, as recommended in the WHO Global Report on Drowning. Further research is required on the epidemiology and treatment of drowning in LMICs as well as non-fatal and intentional drowning in both high-income countries (HICs) and LMICs. Effective and context-specific implementation of drowning prevention strategies, including pilot testing, scale up and evaluation, are likely to help reduce the burden of both fatal and non-fatal drowning in all countries.

scholarly journals Coastal drowning: A scoping review of burden, risk factors, and prevention strategies

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. e0246034
Author(s):  
William Koon ◽  
Amy Peden ◽  
Jasmin C. Lawes ◽  
Robert W. Brander
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
Research Gaps ◽  
Drowning Prevention ◽  
Safety Research

Objective Coastal drowning is a global public health problem which requires evidence to support safety initiatives. The growing multidisciplinary body of coastal drowning research and associated prevention countermeasures is diverse and has not been characterised as a whole. The objective of this scoping review was to identify key concepts, findings, evidence and research gaps in the coastal drowning literature to guide future research and inform prevention activities. Methods We conducted a scoping review to identify peer reviewed studies published before May 2020 reporting either (i) fatal unintentional coastal drowning statistics from non-boating, -disaster or -occupational aetiologies; (ii) risk factors for unintentional fatal coastal drowning; or (iii) coastal drowning prevention strategies. Systematic searches were conducted in six databases, two authors independently screened studies for inclusion and one author extracted data using a standardised data charting form developed by the study team. Results Of the 146 included studies, the majority (76.7%) were from high income countries, 87 (59.6%) reported coastal drowning deaths, 61 (41.8%) reported risk factors, and 88 (60.3%) reported prevention strategies. Populations, data sources and coastal water site terminology in the studies varied widely; as did reported risk factors, which most frequently related to demographics such as gender and age. Prevention strategies were commonly based on survey data or expert opinion and primarily focused on education, lifeguards and signage. Few studies (n = 10) evaluated coastal drowning prevention strategies. Discussion Coastal drowning is an expansive, multidisciplinary field that demands cross-sector collaborative research. Gaps to be addressed in coastal safety research include the lack of research from lower resourced settings, unclear and inconsistent terminology and reporting, and the lack of evaluation for prevention strategies. Advancing coastal drowning science will result in a stronger evidence base from which to design and implement effective countermeasures that ultimately save lives and keep people safe.

Attitudes Toward Intimate Partner Violence Against Women in the European Union: A Systematic Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 104-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enrique Gracia ◽  
Marisol Lila ◽  
Faraj A. Santirso
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Violence Against Women ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Effective Prevention ◽  
Partner Violence Against Women ◽  
The Eu

Abstract. Attitudes toward intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW) are increasingly recognized as central to understanding of this major social and public health problem, and guide the development of more effective prevention efforts. However, to date this area of research is underdeveloped in western societies, and in particular in the EU. The present study aims to provide a systematic review of quantitative studies addressing attitudes toward IPVAW conducted in the EU. The review was conducted through Web of Science, PsychINFO, Medline, EMBASE, PUBMED, and the Cochrane Library, in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) recommendations. This review aimed to identify empirical studies conducted in the EU, published in English in peer-reviewed journals from 2000 to 2018, and analyzing attitudes toward IPVAW. A total of 62 of 176 eligible articles were selected according to inclusion criteria. Four sets of attitudes toward IPVAW were identified as the main focus of the studies: legitimation, acceptability, attitudes toward intervention, and perceived severity. Four main research themes regarding attitudes toward IPVAW emerged: correlates of attitudes, attitudes as predictors, validation of scales, and attitude change interventions. Although interest in this research area has been growing in recent years, the systematic review revealed important gaps in current knowledge on attitudes toward IPVAW in the EU that limits its potential to inform public policy. The review outlines directions for future study and suggests that to better inform policy making, these future research efforts would benefit from an EU-level perspective.

Exploring a Hidden Epidemic: Drowning Among Adults Aged 65 Years and Older

2021 ◽  
pp. 089826432110147
Author(s):  
Tessa Clemens ◽  
Amy E. Peden ◽  
Richard C. Franklin
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Retrospective Analysis ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Total Population ◽  
Downward Trend ◽  
Population Projections ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
Drowning Prevention

Objectives: To explore trends in unintentional fatal drowning among older adults (65 years and older). Methods: Total population retrospective analysis of unintentional fatal drowning among people aged 65 years and older in Australia, Canada and New Zealand (2005–2014) was conducted. Results: 1459 older adults died. Rates ranged from 1.69 (Canada) to 2.20 (New Zealand) per 100,000. Trends in crude drowning rates were variable from year to year. A downward trend was observed in New Zealand (y = −.507ln(x) + 2.9918), with upward trends in Australia (y = .1056ln(x) + 1.5948) and Canada (y = .1489ln(x) + 1.4571). Population projections suggest high annual drowning deaths by 2050 in Australia (range: 120–190; 1.69–2.76/100,000) and Canada (range: 209–430; 1.78–3.66/100,000). Significant locations and activities associated with older adult drowning differed by country and age band. Conclusions: Drowning among older adults is a hidden epidemic claiming increasing lives as the population ages. Targeted drowning prevention strategies are urgently needed in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and other similar countries.

scholarly journals Stemming the Tide of Suicide in Older White Men: A Call to Action

2008 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 189-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy Schmutte ◽  
Maria O'Connell ◽  
Melissa Weiland ◽  
Samuel Lawless ◽  
Larry Davidson
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Baby Boom ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
White Men ◽  
The United States ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
Call To Action ◽  
National Crisis ◽  
National Priority ◽  
Past Half Century

Preventing suicide has been identified as a national priority by recent commissions in the United States. Despite increased awareness of suicide as a public health problem, suicide in older adults remains a neglected topic in prevention strategies and research. This is especially true regarding elderly White men, who in terms of suicide rates have represented the most at-risk age group for the past half century. In light of the unprecedented aging of the United States as the baby boom generation enters late adulthood, suicide prevention initiatives that focus on aging males are needed to prevent a national crisis in geriatric mental health. This article provides a brief review of the perennially under-recognized reality of suicide in older men and prevention strategies that, if implemented, might help stem this rising tide of suicide in this vulnerable population.

scholarly journals Sex-Related Differences of Acute and Chronic Pancreatitis in Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 300
Author(s):  
Madeline Drake ◽  
Shah-Jahan M. Dodwad ◽  
Joy Davis ◽  
Lillian S. Kao ◽  
Yanna Cao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Pancreatitis ◽  
The United States ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
Endoscopic Retrograde ◽  
Effective Prevention ◽  
Type 1 Autoimmune Pancreatitis ◽  
Acute And Chronic Pancreatitis ◽  
Effective Prevention Strategies

The incidence of acute and chronic pancreatitis is increasing in the United States. Rates of acute pancreatitis (AP) are similar in both sexes, but chronic pancreatitis (CP) is more common in males. When stratified by etiology, women have higher rates of gallstone AP, while men have higher rates of alcohol- and tobacco-related AP and CP, hypercalcemic AP, hypertriglyceridemic AP, malignancy-related AP, and type 1 autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP). No significant sex-related differences have been reported in medication-induced AP or type 2 AIP. Whether post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis is sex-associated remains controversial. Animal models have demonstrated sex-related differences in the rates of induction and severity of AP, CP, and AIP. Animal and human studies have suggested that a combination of risk factor profiles, as well as genes, may be responsible for the observed differences. More investigation into the sex-related differences of AP and CP is desired in order to improve clinical management by developing effective prevention strategies, diagnostics, and therapeutics.

scholarly journals Cystamine attenuated behavioral deficiency via increasing the expression of BDNF and activating PI3K/Akt signaling in 2,5-hexanedione intoxicated rats

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuo Wang ◽  
Xianjie Li ◽  
Ming Li ◽  
Lulu Jiang ◽  
Hua Yuan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Organic Solvent ◽  
Health Problem ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Akt Signaling ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Effective Prevention

Organic solvent-induced neurodegeneration is a severe public health problem which has no effective prevention measures yet.

Towards Prevention and Early Recognition of Stroke: The Australian Context

2011 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 223-230
Author(s):  
Evrim G. March
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Stroke Prevention ◽  
Early Recognition ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Effective Prevention ◽  
Australian Context ◽  
The Status ◽  
Significant Public Health ◽  
Policies And Programs

AbstractStroke is a preventable disease leading to physical, cognitive and emotional disability. Its high prevalence and poor outcome shifts this disease from the clinical, medical realm to a significant public health problem. This article provides an overview of the problem, and the status of stroke prevention in the Australian context. To achieve this, it first examines the recent Australian surveillance data on stroke, identifying the at-risk groups. It then argues for targeted stroke prevention, assesses relevant policies and programs in the international and Australian contexts, and briefly reviews approaches for increased awareness and recognition of stroke symptoms. The article concludes by emphasising the need to account for the at-risk-groups when developing targeted health promotion campaigns for effective prevention of stroke in Australia.

scholarly journals Socio-Ecological Nature of Drowning in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Review to Inform Health Promotion Approaches

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muthia Cenderadewi ◽  
Richard Franklin ◽  
Sue Devine
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
Water Safety ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Drowning Prevention ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Ovid Medline ◽  
The Family ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Most deaths by drowning (91%) have occurred in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), particularly in Southeast Asia (35%) and Africa (20%), in proportion to total drowning deaths worldwide. Poor data collection in LMICs hinders the planning, implementation, and evaluation of prevention strategies. The objective of this study was to review the rates and risk factors of unintentional drowning in LMICs and to identify drowning prevention strategies within a socio-ecological health promotion framework. A systematic search, guided by PRISMA, was conducted on Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL, Informit health, PsycINFO (ProQuest), Scopus, SafetyLit, Google Scholar, and BioMed Central databases for all relevant studies published between 2012 and 2017. McMaster appraisal guideline was used for critical review. The disparity of available drowning data was observed across selected countries. The highest rates were identified in low-middle income South-east Asian countries. The socio-economic background of the family, overcrowding, and living close to water bodies were important predictors for paediatric drowning in LMICs, while the presence of mother as caregiver was identified as a protective factor. The over-reliance on active injury prevention strategies was identified. Further research focusing on developing relevant upstream drowning prevention and water safety promotion is needed to ensure the sustainability of drowning prevention in LMICs.

scholarly journals Healthy People 2020 Objectives for Violence Prevention and the Role of Nursing

2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Simon ◽  
Kimberly Hurvitz
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Violence Prevention ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Youth Violence ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
The United States ◽  
Healthy People ◽  
Public Health Approach ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
Healthy People 2020

Violence, including child maltreatment, youth violence, intimate partner violence, and sexual violence, is a significant public health problem in the United States. A public health approach can help providers understand the health burden from violence, evaluate evidence for prevention strategies, and learn where to turn for information about planning and implementing prevention strategies for this preventable problem. For the past three decades, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has published “Healthy People” objectives for the next decade. The Healthy People 2020 initiative includes 13 measurable objectives related to violence prevention, one of which was selected as a Healthy People 2020 Leading Health Indicator. Progress to achieve these objectives can save thousands of lives, reduce the suffering of victims and their families, and decrease financial cost to the law enforcement and healthcare systems. The role that nurses can and do play in violence prevention is critical and extends beyond just caring for victims to also include preventing violence before it happens. This article summarizes the violence prevention objectives in Healthy People 2020 and the resources for prevention available to support nurses and others as they move prevention efforts forward in communities to stop violence before it starts.

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