University Of Maryland, Baltimore

World Drowning Prevention Day 2026: WHO-Led Global Initiative Targets 35% Reduction in Drowning Deaths by 2035

- Drowning claims more than 300,000 lives globally each year and is the leading cause of unintentional death in U.S. children aged 1 to 4. - World Drowning Prevention Day, observed annually on July 25, was declared by the UN General Assembly in April 2021 to promote awareness and prevention. - The WHO aims to reduce drowning deaths by 35% by 2035, with the 2026 theme "Unite to Turn the Tide" emphasizing community-wide responsibility. - Learning to swim can reduce drowning risk by 88%, and bystander CPR with rescue breaths is critical in the first minutes after a water emergency.