Lessons learned through the 20-year development of a national fatal drowning database in Australia.

Background: Co-ordinated, evidence-based policy and programmatic efforts are needed to respond to complex drowning prevention problems. Comprehensive, current, and robust data are vital for agenda setting, burden and risk factor identification, intervention design and evaluation, as well as setting policy. We aim to record methods used in, and identify impacts of, the development of a national fatal drowning database (NFDD) in Australia, including lessons learned across research, policy, and practice.

The characteristics of drowning among different types of international visitors to Australia and how this contributes to their drowning risk.

Objective: Australia is a popular destination for international visitors. This study reviews international visitor drowning deaths in Australia and analyses drowning by visitor type.

Methods: A total population retrospective study exploring drowning deaths of international visitors was conducted between 2008 and 2018.

Epidemiology of unintentional fatal drowning among migrants in Australia.

Objective: This study aimed to describe the epidemiology and risk factors contributing to drowning among migrants in Australia.

Methods: A total population retrospective epidemiological study of unintentional drowning deaths in Australia between 1 July 2009 and 30 June 2019 of people born outside Australia (migrants). Cases were extracted from the National Coronial Information System.

Comparing rivers to lakes: Implications for drowning prevention.

Objective: To contrast unintentional fatal drowning in rivers with lakes to determine appropriateness for application of existing river drowning prevention strategies.

Design: A total population retrospective cross-sectional analysis using coronial data.

Setting: Australia, 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2018.

Reducing inequities among adult female migrants at higher risk for drowning in Australia: The value of swimming and water safety programs.

Issue Addressed: Drowning is a global public health challenge with a need to ensure equity to drowning prevention information and interventions. In Australia, people born overseas are identified as being at greater risk of drowning. This paper presents findings from a community-based qualitative evaluation of swimming and water safety (SWS) programs delivered to adults from migrant backgrounds in Sydney, Australia.

Exploring children's participation in commercial swimming lessons through the social determinants of health.

Issue Addressed: Drowning is a public health challenge, disproportionately impacting children. Social determinants of health (SDH) such as socio-economic disadvantage and geographic isolation increase drowning risk. Swimming and water safety lessons, in part, have reduced drowning in children, while also enabling healthy aquatic participation.

Autism spectrum disorder and unintentional fatal drowning of children and adolescents in Australia: an epidemiological analysis.

Objectives: This study explored unintentional fatal drowning among children and adolescents (0-19 years) diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Australia.

Design: This total population, cross-sectional audit used data from the Royal Life Saving National Fatal Drowning Database to explore demographic and causal factors in ASD drowning cases between 1 July 2002 and 30 June 2018. Rates and relative risk (RR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated for drowning cases with and without ASD, using estimated population-level prevalence data.

Identifying a gap in drowning prevention: high-risk populations.

Introduction: Some populations have been less susceptible to reductions in drowning than others. It has been hypothesised that this is due to prevention strategies failing to account for the influence of social determinants (such as ethnicity, socioeconomic status). Populations such as ethnic minorities have been over-represented in injury statistics, however this is not well explored in drowning.

Boating-related drowning in Australia: Epidemiology, risk factors and the regulatory environment.

Objective: Recreational boating is a popular pastime in many high income countries, and is a leading activity prior to drowning. This study reports on unintentional fatal drowning associated with boating-related incidents in Australia.

Methods: A total population, retrospective, cross sectional design examined all boating-related unintentional drowning deaths between July 1, 2005 and June 30, 2015.

Media reporting of summer drowning: A partial picture, useful for advocacy.

Issue Addressed: Media reporting of drowning deaths can be used for multiple purposes, including advocacy, enhancing data on drowning and supporting policy development. Accurate, current and comprehensive data help ensure the development of effective prevention programs as well as being a tool for advocacy. Advocacy for drowning prevention through the media can create behaviour change aligned to the Health Belief Model (HBM).

Perceptions of the risk of drowning at surf beaches among New Zealand youth.

In many countries, beaches are a high-risk location for drowning. In New Zealand, youth and young adults are particularly at risk of drowning at beaches, accounting for 17.4% of drowning deaths and 18.