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November 21, 2014

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160 drown every day in China

MORE than 160 people drown each day in China and it is the leading cause of death among children aged 5-14 years, according to estimates released by the World Health Organization (WHO) China office yesterday.

The report identifies drowning as a leading cause of death in young people in many low- and middle-income countries, including China, which accounts for more than 80 percent of all drowning deaths in the WHO’s Western Pacific Region.

Almost 60,000 people drowned in China in 2012, the report shows.

This does not include drowning deaths related to suicide, homicide, natural disasters or transport disasters, which could add 50 percent to the total.

“China has made remarkable progress toward achieving the Millennium Development Goal 4 target of a two-third reduction in under-5 child mortality, well ahead of schedule,” said Bernhard Schwartlander, WHO Representative in China.

“In doing so, the impact of previously hidden causes of death in children, such as drowning, has become far more apparent,” Schwartlander said.

Barriers, safe places for play, teaching children to swim and rescue training all help prevent drowning, said the report.




 

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