Adolescents’ use of purpose built shade in secondary schools: cluster randomised controlled trial

Objective To examine whether students use or avoid newly shaded areas created by shade sails installed at schools

Victorian farmers' and other rural outdoor workers' skin cancer prevention knowledge and practices

Farmers and other rural outdoor workers are a high-risk group for skin cancer. This study aimed to describe the skin cancer prevention knowledge and practices of farmers and other rural outdoor workers in the Wimmera and Gippsland regions of Victoria. In total, 366 farmers and 140 other rural outdoor workers completed questionnaires at agricultural field days. Most respondents believed that they were at risk of developing skin cancer and had high levels of knowledge regarding the issue, yet farmers' prevention practices were less than optimal (particularly in terms of the low percentages reporting usually or always using sunscreen (21 %) and wearing long-sleeved shirts (20%)). A targeted campaign could focus on overcoming the barriers to using sun protection specific to the farming profession (in particular, to encourage farmers and other rural outdoor workers to wear sun protective clothing where it is practical and safe, and to incorporate sunscreen use into their daily routine)

Examining health-related effects of refurbishment to parks in a lower socioeconomic area: the shadeplus natural experiment

Degraded parks in disadvantaged areas are underutilized for recreation, which may impact long-term health. Using a natural experiment, we examined the effects of local government refurbishments to parks (n = 3 intervention; n = 3 comparison) in low socioeconomic areas (LSEA) of Melbourne on park use, health behavior, social engagement and psychological well-being. Amenities promoting physical activity and sun protection included walking paths, playground equipment and built shade. Outcomes were measured via systematic observations, and self-report surveys of park visitors over three years. The refurbishments significantly increased park use, while shade use increased only in parks with shade sails. A trend for increased social engagement was also detected. Findings infer improvement of quality, number and type of amenities in degraded parks can substantially increase park use in LSEA. Findings support provision of shade over well-designed playgrounds in future park refurbishments to enhance engagement and sun protection behavior. Further research should identify park amenities to increase physical activit

Children's sun exposure and sun protection: prevalence in Australia and related parental factors

Background: Reducing childhood exposure to ultraviolet radiation is important to minimize lifetime skin cancer risk. Objectives: We sought to describe the prevalence of children's sun-related behaviors and associated parental and other factors. Methods: In weekly cross-sectional telephone interviews during summer, 1140 parents/guardians of children aged 0 to 11 years were recruited. Parents provided proxy reports for one of their children. Key questions related to weekend sun protection and sunburn, parent's sun-related attitudes, and demographic characteristics. Potential predictors of children's sun protection and sunburn were analyzed adjusting for covariates including weather conditions on the previous weekend. Results: On summer weekends, 73% of children spent longer than 15 minutes outdoors in peak ultraviolet radiation periods. Of these, 64% were protected by a hat and 58% by sun-protection factor 15 or higher sunscreen, 32% stayed under shade, and 18% wore three-quarter or long-sleeved tops. Overall, 8% of children had sunburn. Parental attitudes were typically supportive of children's sun protection. Parental use of hats (odds ratio [OR] 3.1; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.6-6.2), shade (OR 9.6; 95% CI 4.4-20.8), sunscreen (OR 12.6; 95% CI 5.2-30.4), longer leg cover (OR 10.3; 95% CI 4.4-24.0), and two or more protective behaviors (OR 5.7; 95% CI 2.8-11.9) increased the odds of their children practicing these behaviors, as did some parental attitudes. Limitations: We relied on cross-sectional parent reports. Conclusion: Although children's sun protection was favorable, there was room for improvement. Health promotion to improve sun-protection practices in adults may benefit children's sun-safe behaviors

Impact of personal genomic risk information on melanoma prevention behaviors and psychological outcomes: a randomized controlled trial

Purpose: We evaluated the impact of personal melanoma genomic risk information on sun-related behaviors and psychological outcomes. Methods: In this parallel group, open, randomized controlled trial, 1,025 Australians of European ancestry without melanoma and aged 18–69 years were recruited via the Medicare database (3% consent). Participants were randomized to the intervention (n = 513; saliva sample for genetic testing, personalized melanoma risk booklet based on a 40-variant polygenic risk score, telephone-based genetic counseling, educational booklet) or control (n = 512; educational booklet). Wrist-worn ultraviolet (UV) radiation dosimeters (10-day wear) and questionnaires were administered at baseline, 1 month postintervention, and 12 months postbaseline. Results: At 12 months, 948 (92%) participants completed dosimetry and 973 (95%) the questionnaire. For the primary outcome, there was no effect of the genomic risk intervention on objectively measured UV exposure at 12 months, irrespective of traditional risk factors. For secondary outcomes at 12 months, the intervention reduced sunburns (risk ratio: 0.72, 95% confidence interval: 0.54–0.96), and increased skin examinations among women. Melanoma-related worry was reduced. There was no overall impact on general psychological distress. Conclusion: Personalized genomic risk information did not influence sun exposure patterns but did improve some skin cancer prevention and early detection behaviors, suggesting it may be useful for precision prevention. There was no evidence of psychological harm.</p

Impact of personal genomic risk information on melanoma prevention behaviors and psychological outcomes: A randomized controlled trial

Purpose: We evaluated the impact of personal melanoma genomic risk information on sun-related behaviors and psychological outcomes. Methods: In this parallel group, open, randomized controlled trial, 1,025 Australians of European ancestry without melanoma and aged 18–69 years were recruited via the Medicare database (3% consent). Participants were randomized to the intervention (n = 513; saliva sample for genetic testing, personalized melanoma risk booklet based on a 40-variant polygenic risk score, telephone based genetic counseling, educational booklet) or control (n = 512; educational booklet). Wrist-worn ultraviolet (UV) radiation dosimeters (10-day wear) and questionnaires were administered at baseline, 1 month postintervention, and 12 months postbaseline. Results: At 12 months, 948 (92%) participants completed dosimetry and 973 (95%) the questionnaire. For the primary outcome, there was no effect of the genomic risk intervention on objectively measured UV exposure at 12 months, irrespective of traditional risk factors. For secondary outcomes at 12 months, the intervention reduced sunburns (risk ratio: 0.72, 95% confidence interval: 0.54–0.96), and increased skin examinations among women. Melanoma-related worry was reduced. There was no overall impact on general psychological distress. Conclusion: Personalized genomic risk information did not influence sun exposure patterns but did improve some skin cancer prevention and early detection behaviors, suggesting it may be useful for precision prevention. There was no evidence of psychological harm