Preventing Skin Cancer: Education and Policy Approaches in Child Care Centers

Task Force Finding*

A large proportion of lifetime sun exposure occurs in childhood, and greater numbers of children are being cared for in child care centers. Therefore, targeting child care providers could be an effective means of reducing UV exposure. In particular, many child care centers conduct outdoor activities and free play during peak UV hours, with only one third providing shade in the play area.

However, the Task Force found insufficient evidence to determine the effectiveness of educational and policy interventions in child care centers to reduce children’s adverse health effects or change children’s behavior related to sun exposure; change caregivers’ behavior related to sun exposure; change policies and practices in child care centers; or change children’s or caregivers’ knowledge or attitudes related to sun exposure and sun protection. The finding of insufficient evidence to determine effectiveness was based on (1) limitations in the design and execution of interventions evaluated, (2) small numbers of qualifying reports, (3) variability in interventions evaluated, (4) very short follow-up times, and (5) little substantial or statistically significant improvement in outcomes other than knowledge and attitudes.

*From the following publication:

Task Force on Community Preventive Services. Recommendations to prevent skin cancer by reducing exposure to ultraviolet radiation. [PDF - 70KB] Am J Prev Med 2004;27(5):467-70.

Review completed: February 2001