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Florida expands swimming lesson voucher program to curb climbing drowning death rate
By Kristin Chermont Spina
August 21, 2026 at 4:26 PM EDT
Last year, the state recorded its highest number of child drowning deaths as 120 children lost their lives.
Florida is doing more to help kids learn to swim.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the leading cause of death among children ages 1 to 4, and childhood drownings are increasing in Florida.
Last year, the state recorded its highest number of child drowning deaths as 120 children lost their lives.
So far this year, 89 children have died — on track to surpass last year's tragic record. That's according to the state department of children and families.
Autistic children are even more likely to die from drowning, but this year, Florida is trying to change that.
The state is expanding a voucher program that's helping some families afford swim lessons.
To learn more about it, I spoke with NPR reporter Jonaki Mehta, who recently wrote a story about the program.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the leading cause of death among children ages 1 to 4, and childhood drownings are increasing in Florida.
Last year, the state recorded its highest number of child drowning deaths as 120 children lost their lives.
So far this year, 89 children have died — on track to surpass last year's tragic record. That's according to the state department of children and families.
Autistic children are even more likely to die from drowning, but this year, Florida is trying to change that.
The state is expanding a voucher program that's helping some families afford swim lessons.
To learn more about it, I spoke with NPR reporter Jonaki Mehta, who recently wrote a story about the program.