Drowning accounts for over 230,000 deaths annually, with over 90% occurring in low- and middle-income countries. In these contexts, drowning often occurs while people are undertaking everyday essential activities, such as bathing, cleaning, traveling or fishing. Research suggests risks associated with drowning are likely to be exacerbated by climate change, as exposure to water is likely to increase in already vulnerable communities. Drowning affects all countries, but impacts are inequitable.
However, the scale of drowning is under-recognised, and relevant WHO guidance hasn’t been assessed within the context of climate change and doesn’t advise how interventions may be adapted to the local contexts. We are exploring the association between climate change and drowning risks in the state of Maharashtra.
Project objectives:
1. To assess institutional capacities for responding to drowning risk and climate hazards and to map hotspots for increased drowning associated with climate change.
2. To co-design, develop and evaluate pilot interventions to prevent drowning in at-risk communities in the context of climate change.
3.To unlock action against climate change by advocating for the integration of drowning risk prevention strategies into state, national and international programmes and policy