Sun Safety Intervention for Elementary School Students.
Publication/Presentation Date
5-10-2026
Abstract
This study evaluated the impact of an elementary school-based intervention that aimed to improve sun safety knowledge and behaviors among third- and fourth-grade students in Pennsylvania through an educational video, t-shirt design contest, and interactive assembly. From pre-survey (n = 88) to post-survey (n = 86), students showed significant improvements in awareness of the link between sun exposure and skin cancer (p < 0.001). Between pre-survey and 6-month follow-up (n = 67), no significant changes were found in reported sunscreen use and reapplication, hat-wearing, or sunburn incidence, but knowledge of skin cancer risk from the sun remained high (p < 0.001). In summary, the intervention significantly increased awareness of the link between sun exposure and skin cancer, with knowledge remaining high at 6-month follow-up, but sustained behavioral change was not observed, suggesting a need for continued reinforcement or different intervention.
ISSN
1525-1470
Published In/Presented At
Moeckel, C., Anderson, R., Krnajic, L., Longenecker, A., Billingsley, E. M., Zaenglein, A. L., & Lam, C. (2026). Sun Safety Intervention for Elementary School Students. Pediatric dermatology, 10.1111/pde.70234. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/pde.70234
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences
PubMedID
42107960
Department(s)
Department of Medicine Faculty
Document Type
Article