(MENAFN) Drowning deaths in Australia have decreased by approximately 24 percent over the last 20 years, a new study revealed on Tuesday.

The research, conducted by the Royal Life Saving Society - Australia, the nation’s premier organization dedicated to drowning prevention, was published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health.

Examining nearly 5,700 accidental drowning fatalities between 2002 and 2022, the study highlighted a striking 59.2 percent reduction in deaths among children aged 0 to 4—the largest decline seen across all age brackets.

However, drowning incidents among teenagers aged 15 to 17 have increased, while rates for those aged 65 and above have stayed largely steady. This older demographic now represents more than 20 percent of drowning fatalities, the study noted.

The report also found that males face nearly four times the drowning risk compared to females. Alcohol was a factor in close to 25 percent of cases, and preexisting medical conditions were frequently present among older victims, according to findings from Royal Life Saving Society - Australia in partnership with James Cook University and the University of New South Wales.

Over a quarter of drownings occurred in rivers and creeks, though these locations saw a 21.6 percent decline in fatal incidents. Beach drowning rates, however, remained constant. The study also underscored that the highest drowning risk persists among remote and socioeconomically disadvantaged communities.

Lauren Miller, the lead researcher from Royal Life Saving Society - Australia and James Cook University, warned of a post-pandemic surge in drowning incidents. She emphasized the urgent need for strengthened prevention efforts, enhanced community education, improved data collection, and focused interventions addressing alcohol, drug use, and vulnerable populations.

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