Block the Sun, Not the Fun
An Evidence-Based Practice
This practice has been Archived and is no longer maintained.
Description
The Block the Sun, Not the Fun program aims to reduce the lifetime risk of skin cancer by reducing sun exposure among children in preschool and day care settings. Chronic, cumulative sun exposure is a major risk factor for squamous and basal cell carcinomas and a single severe, blistering sunburn during childhood or adolescence can double the lifetime risk for malignant melanoma.
The program educates preschool and day care staff on the relationship between sun exposure and skin cancer through interactive workshops and helps the staff develop a sun protection plan. Block the Sun, Not the Fun also educates preschool and day care staff on how to participate in children's sun protection activities (applying sun block, protective clothing, etc) and provides materials for the staff to disseminate to the parents of the children.
The program educates preschool and day care staff on the relationship between sun exposure and skin cancer through interactive workshops and helps the staff develop a sun protection plan. Block the Sun, Not the Fun also educates preschool and day care staff on how to participate in children's sun protection activities (applying sun block, protective clothing, etc) and provides materials for the staff to disseminate to the parents of the children.
Goal / Mission
The intervention aimed to improve sun protection practices among day care and preschool staff in the daily care of the children. Other goals of the intervention was to improve the sun protection of children by their parents and to educate children about sun protection.
Results / Accomplishments
The intervention was evaluated in a randomized control trial of 27 preschools and day care centers. Thirteen centers participated in the intervention and 14 were assigned to the control group. After the intervention, 50% of school directors reported year-round sunscreen application compared to 23% of school directors before the intervention (p<0.004). After the intervention, 100% of school directors in the intervention group reported they intended to apply sunscreen to children's exposed skin on sunny days when snow was on the ground compared to 64% in the control group (p<0.05). All participants in the intervention reported sending sun protection materials home with the parents of their students.
About this Promising Practice
Organization(s)
National Cancer Institute
Primary Contact
Sun Safety Alliance
Topics
Health / Cancer
Health / Children's Health
Health / Children's Health
Organization(s)
National Cancer Institute
Source
Research-tested Intervention Programs
Date of publication
1999
Date of implementation
1994
Location
USA
For more details
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=PubMed...
http://rtips.cancer.gov/rtips/programDetails.do?pr...
http://rtips.cancer.gov/rtips/programDetails.do?pr...
Target Audience
Children, Families