{
  "id": 17899672,
  "title": "Scientists estimate drownings cost the UK almost £1 billion a year",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/03/scientists-estimate-drownings-cost-the-uk-almost-1-billion-a-year",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-11-03T03:00:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Medical Xpress",
    "slug": "medical-xpress",
    "url": "https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-11-scientists-uk-billion-year.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A new study reveals that drownings in the United Kingdom cost the economy nearly £1 billion annually. Researchers from the University of Portsmouth, in collaboration with organizations such as the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) and the National Water Safety Forum, calculated the economic impact by examining the number of years of life lost due to water-related fatalities. Using data from the Water Incident Database (WAID), the team determined that 659 deaths in 2023 resulted in 15,557 lost years of life, valued at £933 million. Young people, particularly 20- to 29-year-old men, are disproportionately affected by these tragic occurrences. The study emphasizes the need for senior political leadership, improved data collection, water safety education in schools, and enhanced resources for the National Water Safety Forum to effectively reduce the burden of drowning. The authors call for weather alerts linked to drowning risk, given the rising temperatures and potential increases in accidental drownings.",
  "summary": "Drownings are taking a toll on the U.K., not just on grieving families but on the country's finances, a new study has found.",
  "key_points": [
    "Drownings cost UK economy nearly £1 billion annually",
    "659 deaths in 2023 led to 15,557 lost years of life",
    "Young men aged 20-29 most affected by water-related fatalities"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}