A community-based randomized trial encouraging sun protection for children

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Public Health
• Environmental Health
• Skin Cancer Prevention

Background:

• Childhood sun exposure is a significant risk factor for skin cancer.
• Effective interventions are needed to promote sun protection behaviors in young children.
• Multi-component strategies targeting schools, day care, and recreational areas show promise.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of the multicomponent SunSafe intervention on children's sun protection behaviors.
• To assess changes in sunscreen use and protective behaviors among children aged 2 to 11 years.
• To determine the effectiveness of community- and school-based approaches to sun safety.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial was conducted in ten paired towns in New Hampshire.
• The SunSafe intervention involved schools, day care centers, primary care practices, and recreational areas.
• Children's sun protection behaviors were observed at baseline and one year later, with towns as the unit of analysis.

Main Results:

• Sunscreen use on at least one body area increased significantly in intervention towns compared to control towns.
• The proportion of children using some sunscreen rose from 56% at baseline to 76% post-intervention in intervention towns.
• Minimal increases in sunscreen use were observed in control town children.

Conclusions:

• The SunSafe intervention effectively promoted sun protection behaviors among young children.
• Community- and school-based programs are effective in increasing sunscreen use and improving sun safety.
• Public health initiatives can successfully reduce risks associated with childhood sun exposure.