USF-LVHN SELECT

Sun Safety Policies among School Districts in the US: Findings from a National Survey.

Publication/Presentation Date

1-1-2022

Abstract

Cumulative childhood sun damage increases skin cancer risk. Considerable childhood time is spent at school, posing an ideal site for sun safety intervention. Currently, national prevalence estimates of school district-level sun safety policies are limited. We evaluated the prevalence of sun safety policies in the US school districts and correlated with district-level factors using cross-sectional data from the 2012 and 2016 School Health Policies and Practices Study. The prevalence of sun safety policies among the US school districts was infrequent. In 2016, policies to schedule outdoor activities avoiding peak sun, allowing and encouraging use of sunscreen, and encouraging the use of protective attire were required by less than 5% of districts and remained unaddressed in 50%-75% of districts. Sun safety policies remain inadequately addressed in many US school districts and may contribute to preventable childhood sun damage. Implementing sun safety interventions in schools through more robust district-level regulations may more effectively reach students, allocate resources, and monitor implementation.

Volume

20

Issue

1

First Page

47

Last Page

56

ISSN

1751-7125

Disciplines

Medical Education | Medicine and Health Sciences

PubMedID

35435825

Department(s)

USF-LVHN SELECT Program, USF-LVHN SELECT Program Students

Document Type

Article

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