Final answer:
Accidental drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children aged 1 to 14 years in the US; however, globally, drowning does not rank as the first cause of death for children 14 and under.
Step-by-step explanation:
Drowning is a significant global health issue, especially among children 14 years old and younger. In the United States, accidental drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children aged 1 to 14 years, following motor vehicle crashes. Internationally, however, drowning is not the leading cause of death for children in this age group. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the leading causes of death for children under five years old in low-income countries are rather health conditions like pneumonia, diarrhea, and malnutrition, which are related to poor sanitation and lack of access to clean water and healthcare.
Although it is a serious concern, drowning does not rank as the first leading cause of death globally for children 14 and under. Instead, preventative diseases largely contribute to the mortality rate in these regions. Efforts to improve water safety, along with immunization and improving the availability of safe water, food, and quality care, are essential to reduce these preventable fatalities.