UPDATE: June 2025
We have some exciting news regarding our previous communication with the CDC. We're pleased to announce that the CDC Foundation, an independent non-profit working alongside the CDC, continues to support and drive efforts in drowning prevention. Their continued dedication enhances the impact of public health initiatives aimed at combating this critical issue.
This ongoing collaboration strengthens the national and global efforts to reduce drowning incidents and supports our shared mission of water safety and education. The dedication of both the CDC and the CDC Foundation is crucial in creating a safer environment for all, and we are thrilled to be part of this movement.
We'll continue to monitor the progress of these vital initiatives and remain committed to promoting water safety in our communities. Stay tuned for more updates as we work together to save lives and raise awareness about drowning prevention.
Drowning is a preventable tragedy, yet it remains one of the leading causes of death for children in the United States. Drowning Prevention: A Public Health Crisis in Urgent Need of Action, each year, drowning claims the lives of approximately 4,000 children, making it the #1 cause of death for children ages 1–4 and the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children ages 5–14. With an additional 8,000 nonfatal drownings annually, this public health crisis demands immediate and sustained attention.
Unfortunately, recent cuts to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Division of Injury Prevention (DIP) have left the nation without a critical resource for drowning prevention, putting countless children at risk. This is an urgent issue that demands immediate action.
Why We Can't Afford to Wait
The CDC's Division of Injury Prevention was once at the forefront of drowning prevention strategies, leading national efforts to save lives. However, due to drastic staffing cuts, drowning prevention programs have been halted, national guidance has been silenced, and vital data collection has been suspended. This has left a dangerous void in our national efforts to combat drowning.
In addition, critical systems such as the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System – All Injury Program (NEISS-AIP) have been discontinued due to these cuts. This program, a collaboration between the CDC and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), was the most reliable source for nationwide injury data, including drownings. The removal of this system has left a dangerous blind spot in our ability to track and respond to drowning incidents effectively.
The consequences of these cuts are devastating, and if Congress does not act now, we risk losing the national leadership necessary to tackle drowning as the public health crisis that it is.
The Need for Urgent Congressional Action
Drowning is a solvable problem, but only with sustained leadership, proper resources, and a coordinated national effort. The U.S. Swim School Association (USSSA), a dedicated advocate for water safety, is calling on Congress to take immediate action. We urge Congress to:
- Reinstate full funding and staffing for the CDC's Division of Injury Prevention to ensure that drowning prevention efforts can resume.
- Restart the NEISS-AIP program to guarantee that comprehensive, nationwide drowning data is once again available for public health professionals and policymakers.
- Rebuild the CDC's capacity to lead national drowning prevention efforts through coordinated public health strategies and data collection.
Failure to act will not only delay critical intervention strategies but will also prolong the suffering of families across the nation who lose loved ones to drowning every year. We cannot wait any longer for action.
The Alarm is Sounding: Public Health Under Attack
In light of these staffing cuts, it's critical that parents and caregivers take immediate steps to ensure the safety of children in and around water. According to a recent Politico article titled "Terrifying: Trump cuts CDC's drowning-prevention team" (May 26, 2025), the CDC's cuts are not only undermining drowning prevention programs but are also jeopardizing public health at large. These cuts come at a time when drowning rates are already alarmingly high, and the need for structured, national prevention efforts has never been greater.
Parents and communities cannot rely solely on government initiatives to keep children safe — that's why layers of protection must be a part of every water safety plan. These layers include:
- Active Supervision: Always keep a watchful eye on children, especially around water. This cannot be emphasized enough.
- Swimming Lessons: Enroll children in swimming lessons at an early age to teach them critical water safety skills.
- Pool Barriers: Ensure that pools are fenced off with self-closing, self-latching gates to prevent unsupervised access.
- Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs): Always use life jackets in open water or on boats.
- CPR Training: Knowing how to perform CPR can make the difference between life and death in an emergency situation.
These layers of protection, when combined, can dramatically reduce the risk of drowning. However, without the necessary national leadership and data systems to guide these efforts, it's up to each individual and local community to act.
USSSA's Commitment to Join the Fight
The U.S. Swim School Association (USSSA) has always been a strong advocate for drowning prevention and water safety, and we are fully committed to joining the fight for effective national solutions. As part of our ongoing efforts, we are working to raise awareness about the need for reinstating the CDC's Division of Injury Prevention and reestablishing key data systems like NEISS-AIP. We believe that by uniting with national partners and legislators, we can bring back the leadership necessary to prevent unnecessary drownings.
The time to act is now. We stand ready to work with Congress, the CDC, and local communities to ensure that no more lives are lost due to preventable drownings. Through collaboration and commitment, we can change the tide on this crisis.
We urge all concerned parties to join the effort in urging Congress to reinstate the CDC's Division of Injury Prevention and fully fund the critical programs designed to prevent drowning. If you want to help or learn more about how to get involved with state and national advocates, please contact Lisa Zarda, Executive Director of the US Swim School Association, at lisa@usswimschools.org or 480.837.5525.
Together, we can save lives. Together, we can prevent the next tragedy. The time to act is now.
If you'd like to stay up to date on the latest advocacy efforts related to drowning prevention, please visit USSSA.org.
