Drowning is a serious public health issue and a leading cause of death among children in the United States. Racial disparities in drowning persist despite decreasing drowning rates overall. Learning to swim can reduce the risk of drowning for children. The YMCA of the USA teaches children basic swim lessons, including water safety, through their Safety Around Water (SAW) Program. This study aimed to evaluate whether the Water Smarts component of the SAW Program improved water safety knowledge and self-efficacy among children ages 4 to 14.
Jessica Salas-Brooks, MPH, Ph.D., is a Research Scientist at NORC at the University of Chicago with over a decade of experience focusing on sexual and reproductive health, health equity, and injury prevention. At NORC, she utilizes quantitative and qualitative research methods to evaluate national-level programs focused on reducing health disparities. Salas-Brooks received a Ph.D. in Biobehavioral Health from Pennsylvania State University and an MPH in Epidemiological and Biostatistical Methods from Johns Hopkins University.
Lindsay Mondick is the Director of Movement Engagement, Innovative Priorities and Aquatic Safety at YMCA of the USA. She is an advocate for water safety and drowning prevention and maintains a portfolio of work related to aquatic safety, aquatic programming, drowning prevention, and training. Mondick received a bachelor's degree in biology and psychology from the University of New Mexico.