Drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury deaths in the Western Pacific, after road traffic injuries and falls. In 2019, more than 74 000 people drowned in the Western Pacific Region - one third of the world's drowning deaths. Drowning kills more children under than the age of 15 in the Western Pacific Region than tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, malnutrition, measles, meningitis, dengue and malaria combined. However, the greatest proportion of drowning deaths (34%) occurs among people aged 65 years and older, with men experiencing a greater burden of drowning than women. In addition to the significant number of deaths, non-fatal drowning (where individuals are rescued and/or resuscitated) results in a substantial number of hospitalizations every year.

The Regional Status Report on Drowning in the Western Pacific presents findings from the first assessment of drowning prevention in the Region. The report aims to accelerate advocacy and action to minimize preventable drowning deaths and sets out seven key recommendations, which correspond to its key findings, and also acts as a baseline to measure future regional progress in drowning prevention. This report also highlights the work that countries and areas across the Region are undertaking to advance the drowning prevention agenda.