WEST PERTH, Australia, Feb. 24 (UPI) -- A comprehensive study has found health and social benefits for children from swimming pools in remote Aboriginal communities in Australia.
A research team from the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research has followed the health status of children from Jigalong, Burringurrah and Mugarinya Aboriginal communities since 2000, when the remote community pools were first opened.
"We now have firm evidence that these pools are a great investment -- not simply for fun, but for a range of health and social benefits," said Fiona Stanley.
Stanley said the study results showed a big drop in ear and skin disease when children are swimming for sustained periods of time.
"We know that extremely high rates of ear disease have caused many children to suffer significant hearing loss which disrupts their education and increases the level of disadvantage that these children face," she said.
