Preventing Skin Cancer: Education and Policy Approaches in Primary School Settings

(2004 Archived Review)

Task Force Finding*

Children are in school during peak hours of UV radiation, and may often be outdoors for play or recess. They are more receptive than adolescents to practicing self-protective behaviors and are more amenable to instruction received from adults, including teachers and parents.

On the basis of sufficient evidence of effectiveness, the Task Force recommends interventions in primary schools to improve covering-up behavior. Evidence was insufficient to determine effectiveness in improving other sun-protective behaviors (e.g., avoiding the sun) because of inconsistent findings. Evidence was also insufficient to determine effectiveness in decreasing sunburns because only a single study, with limitations in design and execution, reported on this behavior.

*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 2002