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Injury Surveillance
Drowning/Submersion Injuries
The Harris County Public Health and
Environmental Services (HCPHES) Epidemiology Injury Surveillance
Program is responsible for tracking and investigating various types
of injuries within the Harris County community. Examples of such
injuries include trauma to the brain or the spinal cord and
drownings and near drownings, which can be classified together as
submersion injuries.
Nationally, deaths due to drowning rank among
the top ten causes of death. For the age groups of less than one
year through 34 years, drowning ranks as either the second or third
leading cause of death.
For every drowning that occurs, from four to
ten non-fatal submersions may happen. Because of improved rescue
response and medical care, many of these submersion victims are now
surviving, but they are left with severe brain damage as a result of
lack of oxygen. These situations create a burden not only for the
family affected, but also a financial and social burden for the
healthcare system.
The Houston-Harris County Child Fatality Review Team (of which HCPHES is an active
member) investigates each drowning and some of the non-fatal
submersions of children that occur in Harris County each year. The
Team also sponsors educational events designed to reduce the number
of these tragedies.
For more information, call (713)439-6021.
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Last updated: February 20, 2008
Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services
2223 West Loop South
Houston, TX 77027
Tel: (713) 439-6000
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