Childhood exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun and a history of sunburns are risk factors for skin cancer. Because children spend time outdoors when they are at school, school sun protection policies are an important health issue, particularly in areas of the country with year-round warm and sunny climates, such as Florida. To better understand the sun protection policies and practices in South Florida schools, a sample (n = 51) of elementary and middle schools in Miami-Dade County public schools were surveyed as part of a CDC-funded cancer control program at the University of Miami. Of the principals and teachers surveyed, most (78%) knew about the county school system's guidelines for avoiding excessive heat exposure, which include two sun protection measures. Two-thirds reported that they shared these guidelines with teachers; 21% shared them with parents. Few schools monitor implementation of the guidelines, although 70% schedule outdoor activities to avoid peak sun hours. No schools required sunscreen, hats, or protective clothing. Physical education teachers and students spend an average of 4.5 and 0.6 hours per day outdoors, respectively. Improved school sun protection policies and monitoring of such policies is needed to reduce sun exposure and skin cancer risk for both students and staff.

This study used a population-based sample of 407 Seventh-day Adventists in Barbados to determine the relationship between physical activity, blood sugar, hypertension, and cholesterol levels. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select participants: 37.6% were male and 62.4% female. No significant association was found between exercise and the outcome variables: blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels of participants. However, females appeared to be more sedentary when compared to males. A significant association was seen between weekly exercise and triglycerides, but only in male participants.