Summary
New research from the CDC suggests that improved use of life jackets and better fencing around swimming pools could prevent hundreds of drowning deaths annually, with 51 deaths linked to inadequate pool fencing and 297 to lack of life jackets in boating incidents. The study highlights a potential economic cost of $4.5 billion from these preventable deaths and emphasizes the need for adherence to safety measures. This research comes amid layoffs at the CDC that eliminated the injury prevention team, raising concerns about the future of public health initiatives.