Listen: Black Swimmers Make Waves Overcoming Fear and Old Perceptions

LISTEN: KFF Health News correspondent Cara Anthony appeared on WAMU’s “Health Hub” segment on May 7 to share her reporting on community efforts to close a public health gap by teaching more Black Americans to swim.

Generations of Black Americans have faced barriers to swimming. A history of systemic exclusion from pools is one factor that has led to higher drowning rates among Black children and adults than their white peers. More than a third of Black adults report they do not know how to swim, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Water safety advocates across the country are providing swim lessons to encourage Black people of all ages to overcome fears and build confidence.

KFF Health News correspondent Cara Anthony appeared on WAMU’s “Health Hub” segment to talk about drowning disparities, and efforts to save lives and reclaim the joy of swimming.

KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF.

<h1>Listen: Black Swimmers Make Waves Overcoming Fear and Old Perceptions</h1>
<div>	<span class="byline">Cara Anthony</span>
		<time class="posted-on" datetime="2025-05-13T02:00:00-07:00">
			May 13, 2025		</time>
		</div>
<p>LISTEN: KFF Health News correspondent Cara Anthony appeared on WAMU’s “Health Hub” segment on May 7 to share her reporting on community efforts to close a public health gap by teaching more Black Americans to swim.</p><p>Generations of Black Americans have faced barriers to swimming. A history of systemic exclusion from pools is one factor that has led to higher drowning rates among Black children and adults than their white peers. More than a third of Black adults report they do not know how to swim, <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.cdc.gov/injury/media/pdfs/2024/10/VitalSignsPrint_DrowningInTheUS_2024.pdf&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1746460521851958&usg=AOvVaw38d4hgHYUfufReqNDKijV0">according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a>.</p>	<p>Water safety advocates across the country are providing swim lessons to encourage Black people of all ages to overcome fears and build confidence.</p><p>KFF Health News correspondent Cara Anthony appeared on WAMU’s “Health Hub” segment to talk about drowning disparities, and efforts to save lives and reclaim the joy of swimming.</p><ul><li><a href="https://californiahealthline.org/news/article/listen-black-swimmers-swim-lessons-water-safety-exclusion-pools-history/?share=facebook">				Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)				Facebook			</a></li><li><a href="https://californiahealthline.org/news/article/listen-black-swimmers-swim-lessons-water-safety-exclusion-pools-history/?share=linkedin">				Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)				LinkedIn			</a></li><li><a href="https://californiahealthline.org/news/article/listen-black-swimmers-swim-lessons-water-safety-exclusion-pools-history/?share=x">				Click to share on X (Opens in new window)				X			</a></li><li><a href="mailto:?subject=%5BShared%20Post%5D%20Listen%3A%20Black%20Swimmers%20Make%20Waves%20Overcoming%20Fear%20and%20Old%20Perceptions&body=https%3A%2F%2Fcaliforniahealthline.org%2FNTE0NDY3&share=email">				Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)				Email			</a></li><li><a href="https://californiahealthline.org/news/article/listen-black-swimmers-swim-lessons-water-safety-exclusion-pools-history/#print?share=print">				Click to print (Opens in new window)				Print			</a></li><li>				<a href="https://californiahealthline.org/news/article/listen-black-swimmers-swim-lessons-water-safety-exclusion-pools-history/view/republish/">					Republish This Story				</a>			</li></ul><em><a href="https://kffhealthnews.org/about-us">KFF Health News</a> is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about <a href="https://www.kff.org/about-us">KFF</a>.</em><p><a href="https://californiahealthline.org/morning-briefing/">Subscribe</a> to KFF Health News' free Morning Briefing.</p>

Some elements may be removed from this article due to republishing restrictions. If you have questions about available photos or other content, please contact NewsWeb@kff.org.