Listen: Black Swimmers Make Waves Overcoming Fear and Old Perceptions

By Cara Anthony

May 13, 2025

Article HTML
<br /> <span class="byline">Cara Anthony</span></p> <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, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.</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> <p>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.</p> <h3>USE OUR CONTENT</h3> <p>This story can be republished for free (details).</p> <p>
Copy HTML