Identifying strategic priorities for advancing global drowning prevention: a Delphi method

Abstract

IntroductionThe burden of drowning is gaining prominence on the global agenda. Two United Nations system resolutions in 3 years reflect rising political support, but priorities remain undefined, and the issue lacks a global strategy. We aimed to identify strategic priorities for advancing global drowning prevention using a modified Delphi method.MethodsAn advisory group was formed, and participants recruited with diverse expertise and backgrounds. We used document review, and data extracted from global health partnerships to identify strategic domains and draft priorities for global drowning prevention. Participants rated the priorities in two Delphi rounds, guided by relevance, feasibility and impact on equity, and where consensus was ≥70% of participants rating the priority as critical.ResultsWe recruited 134 participants from research (40.2%), policy (26.9%), technical (25.4%) and community (7.5%) backgrounds, with 38.1% representing low- and middle-income countries. We drafted 75 priorities. Following two Delphi rounds, 50 priorities were selected across the seven domains of research and further contextualisation, best practice guidance, capacity building, engagement with other health and sustainable development agendas, high-level political advocacy, multisectoral action and strengthening inclusive global governance. Participants scored priorities based on relevance (43.2%), feasibility (29.4%) and impact on equity (27.4%).ConclusionOur study identifies global priorities for drowning prevention and provides evidence for advocacy of drowning prevention in all pertinent policies, and in all relevant agendas. The priorities can be applied by funders to guide investment, by researchers to frame study questions, by policymakers to contrast views of expert groups and by national coalitions to anchor national drowning prevention plans. We identify agendas including disaster risk reduction, sustainable development, child and adolescent health, and climate resilience, where drowning prevention might offer co-benefits. Finally, our findings offer a strategic blueprint as the field looks to accelerate action, and develop a global strategy for drowning prevention.

Drowning prevention challenges and opportunities: An exploratory study of perspectives of delegates from ASEAN nations

“…A lack of data is also negatively affecting epidemiological research to identify risk factors and inform intervention implementation, with just 22% of countries currently using drowning data for research. This has also been highlighted as a challenge globally, with ‘strengthening capacity of data systems to measure and monitor drowning burden at all levels’ ranked second among fifty strategic priorities for advancing drowning prevention [ 18 ].…”

Conceptual definition for drowning prevention: a Delphi study

“…A future research agenda should prioritise studies that explore greater contextualisation of drowning prevention, and measure the efficiency and efficacy of interventions. 12…”

“…27 Disaster risk reduction and climate resilience are two agendas prioritised for the integration of drowning prevention efforts. 12 Reframing drowning prevention and aligning to the language and concepts used in disaster risk reduction and climate resilience sectors may assist that integration and help to facilitate the identification of cobenefits and complimentary interventions.…”

“…Research investigating how social determinants increase exposure and vulnerabilities to drowning, including the impacts of where a person is born, the features of their neighbourhood and built environment in which they live, what access they have to education, safe working conditions and health services, is a high priority for the advancement of drowning prevention. 12 A detailed analysis of the role of exposure and vulnerability may help in the targeting of prevention measures. For example, rock fisher drowning in Australia is an activity where participants are exposed to multiple hazards (rocks, waves, tidal changes), and where mortality data shows over representation of specific migrant populations-some of whom are thought to lack swimming skills, adding layers of vulnerability in the event of a fall into the wave zone.…”

“…3 6 Reaching a consensus on the definition of drowning prevention has the potential to advance the research agenda, 11 foster stronger partnerships with stakeholders in 10 and facilitate the pursuit of strategic priorities through the formulation of a global strategy. 12 Previous consensus-based processes have had significant benefits for advancing drowning prevention. 3 For example, the development of a standardised definition for drowning in 2002, 13 was adopted by WHO and led to increased consistency in reporting of the drowning burden.…”