Abstract
Background: Recent increases in drowning rates, both nationally and within Georgia, have led to renewed interest in the individual, situational/behavioral, and environmental characteristics that impact drowning. This study examines the association between two environmental characteristics, natural surface water coverage and public pools, on drowning fatalities and drowning-related ER visits by county in Georgia
Methods: We gathered county-level data on drowning fatalities and drowning-related ER visits and the number of public pools from the Georgia DPH, surface water coverage from the US Census Bureau, and demographic measures from the CDC. We conducted a linear regression analysis to identify how the two drowning outcomes are impacted by the two environmental factors while controlling for the potential demographic confounders.
Results: Natural surface water coverage appears to be a risk factor for both drowning fatalities and drowning-related ER visits. The number of public pools appears to be a protective factor only for drowning fatalities.
Conclusions: The environmental impacts of natural surface water and public pools impact drowning fatalities and drowning-related ER visits in unique ways. Potential prevention strategies for county health officials are discussed.
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Recommended Citation
Turner, Jeff
(2026)
"Environmental Predictors of County-Level Drowning Rates in Georgia,"
Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association: Vol. 12:
No.
1, Article 2.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/jgpha/vol12/iss1/2