Calculating the economic burden of fatal drowning in Australia

Barnsley, Paul D; Peden, Amy E.; Scarr, Justin

doi:10.1016/j.jsr.2018.09.002

Cited by 25 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Calculating the economic burden of drowning permits comparison with other health problems can be used to determine the net benefits of proposed drowning prevention policies and to encourage investment in the development and implementation of drowning prevention interventions . Using previously published estimates for the cost of fatal and non‐fatal drowning in Australia, unintentional fatal portable pool drowning among children under five is estimated to have cost the Australian economy $1.26 billion dollars; while hospitalisations due to non‐fatal drowning in portable pools are estimated to have cost the Australian economy $80.8 million dollars over the past 16 years, in 2018 dollars. The costs to the Australian economy of both fatal and non‐fatal drowning in portable pools warrant further investment in consumer education and awareness campaigns, as well as supporting research.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The prevention of child drowning: the causal factors and social determinants impacting fatalities in portable pools

Peden

Franklin

Pearn

2019

Health Prom J of Aust

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Issue addressed There is a scarcity of research into portable pool drowning and its prevention. This total population study examines fatal drowning among children under five in portable pools in Australia. Methods All child drowning deaths in portable pools for the period 1 July 2002 to 30 June 2018 were identified. A portable pool was defined as any structure used for swimming and wading which, when emptied, can be moved. Results Twenty‐three children (aged 0‐17 years) drowned in portable pools. The drowning rate for children less than 5 years of age was 0.09 per 100 000 population. The peak age of death was 12‐23 months (RR = 2.99; CI: 1.09‐8.23), with the majority (n = 20 deaths) aged 16‐31 months. Ninety per cent followed a fall into water. None were supervised. Children commonly resided in areas classified as socially and economically disadvantaged (85%; n = 17). Drowning rates in very remote areas were 15 times greater (RR = 15.41; CI: 0.03‐7579.65) than city children. Eleven (55%) drowning deaths occurred in pools with a depth >300 mm, of which 10 (91%) were known to be unfenced. Conclusions Social determinants impact child drowning in portables pools, which can occur quickly and in just 150 mm of water. Active supervision and a regulation‐compliant barrier are effective prevention stratagems, factors which were absent from the deaths in this study. So what? Portable pool drowning disproportionately impacts those aged 16‐31 months who reside in very remote areas and areas classified as having high socio‐economic disadvantage. Education for these groups on fencing and supervision of children must be provided.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The prevention of child drowning: the causal factors and social determinants impacting fatalities in portable pools

Peden

Franklin

Pearn

2019

Health Prom J of Aust

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“…This, in turn, makes it is harder to get insurance for flood damage [52]. Given drowning costs the Australian economy $1.24 billion annually [53], increased investment in drowning prevention strategies-including those to mitigate the impacts of flood on adults, children, and adolescents alike-are required. Though challenging, such mitigation strategies must be upstream in their approach and target the root cause of this risk being social inequality.…”

Section: Social Determinants Impacting Flood Drowning Riskmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring Flood-Related Unintentional Fatal Drowning of Children and Adolescents Aged 0–19 Years in Australia

Peden

Franklin

2019

Safety

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Disasters, such as flooding, are predicted to increase. Drowning is one of the leading causes of death during times of flood. This study examined the little explored topic of child drowning during floods, with the aim of identifying risk factors to inform prevention strategies. A retrospective, total population examination of cases of children and adolescents aged 0–19 years who died from unintentional flood-related drowning in Australia for the 16-year period 1 July 2002 to 30 June 2018 was undertaken. Univariate and chi-square analysis was conducted, with Fisher’s exact test used for cell counts <5. Across the study period, 44 flood-related drowning deaths occurred among children and adolescents (63.6% male; 34.1% aged 10–14 years). Almost all (84.1%) occurred in rivers, creeks, or streams in flood, with the remaining incidents occurring in storm water drains (n = 7). Leading activities immediately prior to drowning were non-aquatic transport (40.9%), swimming in floodwaters (25.0%), and falls into floodwaters (15.9%). Flood-related fatal drowning among children and adolescents is rare (0.05 per 100,000 population), however flood-drowning risk increases as remoteness increases, with children and adolescents drowning in floodwaters in very remote areas at a rate 57 times that of major cities. All drownings are preventable, and this study has identified key causal factors that must be considered in advocacy and prevention efforts. These include: the importance of adult supervision, avoiding flooded waterways when driving or for recreational purposes, and the increased risks for those residing in geographically isolated and socially disadvantaged areas. Findings must be considered when developing interventions and advocacy for the purposes of the reduction of child and adolescent drowning during times of flood.

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“…Non‐fatal drowning has a significant impact among children, with 0‐4 year‐olds recording eight non‐fatal hospitalisations for every fatal drowning (8:1), compared to the all‐age ratio of 3:1 2 . Drowning is a preventable cause of death, with unintentional drowning fatalities costing the Australian economy an estimated $1.24 billion each year ($2017) 3 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…2 Drowning is a preventable cause of death, with unintentional drowning fatalities costing the Australian economy an estimated $1.24 billion each year ($2017). 3 Inland waterways such as rivers, creeks, streams, lakes and dams account for a third (37%) of the annual fatal drowning burden, the largest proportion of any aquatic location. 1 The Australian Water Safety Strategy 2016-2020 identified rivers, creeks and streams as high-risk locations necessitating focused action in order to achieve significant reductions in the national drowning burden.…”

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confidence: 99%