WS WC 3 Build or Revitalize Pools to Serve High-Risk Drowning Populations
Build or revitalize publicly accessible pools and designated swimming areas to meet the needs of populations at higher risk of drowning.
Spectrum level: Changing Organizational Practices Influencing Policy and Legislation
Evidence level: Low
Rationale:
Building or revitalize publicly accessible pools and designated swimming areas to meet the needs of populations at higher risk of drowning, as well as providing affordable water safety and swim lesson programming to meet the needs of populations at higher risk of drowning, can lead to a decrease in drowning disparities, and an increase in aquatic participation, including swim and water safety lessons, among groups that historically not been included in aquatic activity.
Anticipated Impact:
After implementing this recommendation, you can expect to experience the following outcomes.
- Greater infrastructure for aquatic activity, along with more affordable, accessable, opportunities for swim and water safety lessons, leads to a decrease in drowning disparities nationwide.
- Greater infrastructure for aquatic activity, along with more affordable, accessable, opportunities for swim and water safety lessons, leads to an increase in aquatic participation among groups who have historically not been included in aquatic activity.
Evidence:
Meeting people where they are; BIPOC family structures and financial restrictions may and have posed barriers to participation in traditional swim lesson based upon scheduling and formats that don’t align with these varying structures and restrictions. There is a need to create more accessible opportunities so that time, distance and access are no longer barriers.
Evidence Sources:
Martin NT, Dean W. (2010) "Factors Affecting Minority Drowning. International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education: 4(1), Article 3. DOI: https://doi.org/10.25035/ijare.04.01.03 https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/ijare/vol4/iss1/3
Wiltse J. 2014. The Black-White Swimming Disparity in America: A Deadly Legacy of Swimming Pool Discrimination. Journal of Sport and Social Issues; 38(4):366-389. DOI: 10.1177/0193723513520553. https://mspremium.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/sites/20/2021/06/Journal-of-Sport-and-Social-Issues.pdf
High Risk Populations Addressed:
The population whose risk of drowning decreases the most with the implementation of this recommendation
- All populations can benefit from implementation of this recommendation.
- Racial and ethnic communities that have been historically marginalized
- Individuals with limited financial resources
Evaluation Metrics:
Indicators of long-term impact:
- Building of equitable aquatic facilities and affordable programming
- Increase aquatic opportunities
- Decrease in drowning rates and disparities
Indicators of short-term impact: - Projects that address equitable aquatic facilities and affordable programming are approved and funding sources identified
Implementation:
Will require advocacy so community leaders and decision makers understand the need and the impact of these facilities, which are very expensive.
Challenges to Implementation:
When implementing this recommendation, you might encounter challenges related to the following factors.
- Limited water safety education, and the effects of historical marginalization in aquatic activity may be a significant challenge.
- These types of projects are very expensive so there will be financial challenges to overcome.
Potential Facilitators:
The following factors might facilitate the implementation of this recommendation.
- Pool companies
- School districts
- Local municipalities
GAP Recommendation:
None