Publications, Data, & Statistics
Healthy Water Sites
- Drinking Water
- Healthy Swimming/Recreational Water
- Global Water, Sanitation, & Hygiene (WASH)
- Other Uses of Water
- Water-related Emergencies & Outbreaks
- Water-related Hygiene
Swimming and other water-related activities are excellent ways to get the physical activity needed for a healthy life, and millions of people enjoy oceans, lakes, rivers, pools, and spas each year. However, it is important to be aware of ways to prevent water-related adverse health events, such as sunburn and other injuries, drowning, and recreational water illnesses (RWIs). CDC's Healthy Swimming program provides information for the public and health professionals (for example, outbreak response toolkits and the Model Aquatic Health Code) on a variety of subjects.
Healthy Swimming & Recreational Water Topics
Pools & Hot Tubs
Model Aquatic Health Code, Design, Operation, Disinfection...
Recreational Water Illness
RWI Basics, Education & Prevention Materials, State Resources...
Oceans, Lakes, & Rivers
Beach Monitoring, Water Quality Indicators...
Injury & Skin Cancer
Drowning, Boating, Sun Protection...
Healthy Swimming Fast Facts
- There are 10.4 million residential and 309,000 public swimming pools in the United States 1.
- In the United States during 2009, there were approximately 301 million pool visits each year by persons over the age of six 2.
- Thirty-six percent of children aged 7-17 years, and 15% of adults in the United States, swim at least six times per year 2.
Health Benefits of Water-Based Exercise
Swimming is the second most popular sports activity in the United States and a good way to get regular aerobic physical activity. Just two and a half hours per week of aerobic physical activity, such as swimming, bicycling, or running can decrease the risk of chronic illnesses. This can also lead to improved health for people with diabetes and heart disease.
Swimmers have about half the risk of death compared with inactive people. People report enjoying water-based exercise more than exercising on land. They can also exercise longer in water than on land without increased effort or joint or muscle pain.
- The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals. U.S. Swimming Pool and Hot Tub Market 2011 [PDF - 1 page].
- US Census Bureau. Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2012. Arts, Recreation, and Travel: Participation in Selected Sports Activities 2009 [PDF - 2 pages]
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