1. Model Aquatic Health Code
Julie Gilchrist, MD
Medical Epidemiologist
National Center for Injury Prevention & Control
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
jrg7@cdc.gov
National Drowning Prevention Symposium
March 9, 2012
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
Helping People Live to their Full Potential

2. MODEL AQUATIC HEALTH CODE

3. MAHC Vision and Objective
 The MAHC is a user-friendly, knowledge-based,
and scientifically supported document for reducing
risk and promoting healthy recreational water use
 Adoption of the MAHC transforms existing state &
local codes into a uniform set of codes that ensure
the health and safety of the swimming public

4. MAHC Scope
 All areas of public health concern
 Public venues
 Illness, injury, drowning
 Water, air, & facility exposures that impact the
health of swimmers and facility users
 Leave other areas to building codes, etc.
 Facility types
 Man-made, treated water venues
 Health care-based pools
 Therapy pools

5. MAHC Outcomes:
Intermediate Term
 Improved operations
 Adoption of minimum standards across the U.S. (as
with national food safety and building model codes)
 Systems-based approach to facility design,
operation, maintenance, policy
 Reductions in code violations
 Improved pool programs
 Improved surveillance systems and data collection
 Data-based decision making

6. MAHC Outcomes: Long Term
 Extensive research agenda
 Prioritize data needed to drive MAHC changes
 Drive fundraising efforts
 Improved health – reductions in:
 Recreational water illnesses
 Injuries
 Drowning
Aligns with NDPA’s goal to
reduce drowning in swimming
pools and spas

7. MAHC Technical Committees
 Contamination Burden  Operator Training
 Disinfection & Water Quality  Recirculation Systems &
 Facility Design & Construction Filtration
 Facility Maintenance &  Regulatory Program
Operation Administration
 Hygiene Facilities  Risk Management/Safety
 Lifeguarding/Bather  Ventilation & Air Quality
Supervision  Forming 13th Committee:
 Monitoring & Testing Implementation and Promotion

8. Process and Status
 12 modules in various degrees of review
 Post modules as ready for 60-day public comment
 Revise modules based on public comments
and repost for viewing or adoption
 Blend all 12 modules, post for public comment,
revise, and post the complete MAHC
 Revise regularly through a new process like that
used for U.S. model food code

9. MAHC Implementation
 Create the MAHC as outlined
 Federal, non-regulatory, non-enforceable model
 Make MAHC available to state & local health
authorities
 It won’t occur overnight
 CDC fecal accident recommendations published
in 2000 took about 5-10 years to be adopted into
most codes in U.S.
 MAHC creation facilitates fixing public health
problems without the need for VGB-like legislation

10. More Information: Search on “CDC MAHC” or
visit the Healthy Swimming Website:
http://www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming
Email: MAHC@cdc.gov
"The findings and conclusions in this presentation have not been formally disseminated by CDC and should not be construed to
represent any agency determination or policy."
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Model Aquatic Health Code Program