Adoption of Sun Safe Workplace Practices by Local Governments

Wallis, Allan D.; Andersen, Peter E.; Buller, David B.; Walkosz, Barbara J.; Lui, Lucia; Buller, Mary Klein; Scott, Michael D.; Jenkins, Rob

doi:10.1097/phh.0000000000000026

Cited by 10 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 39 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Although companies may include use of personal sun-protection practices in their institutional policies, few supply sun-protection equipment, and most existing policies do not explicitly state an intent to protect employees from excessive sun exposure (21). However, additional studies of local government organizations found that interventions that include personal contacts and theory-based training increased the likelihood of adoption of formal sun-protection policies and that adoption of sun-safe practices is not constrained by government budget or size (22,23). More research analyzing local, state, and national sun-safety policies is needed to understand their effects in both government and nongovernment organizations.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Skin Cancer Prevention Behaviors Among Agricultural and Construction Workers in the United States, 2015

et al. 2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Introduction Nearly 5 million people are treated for skin cancer each year in the United States. Agricultural and construction workers (ACWs) may be at increased risk for skin cancer because of high levels of ultraviolet radiation exposure from the sun. This is the first study that uses nationally representative data to assess sun-protection behaviors among ACWs. Methods We analyzed data from the 2015 National Health Interview Survey Cancer Control Supplement to examine the prevalence of sun-protection behaviors among ACWs. We calculated national, weighted, self-reported prevalence estimates. We used χ 2 tests to assess differences between ACWs by industry and occupation. Results Most of the 2,298 agricultural and construction workers studied were male (by industry, 72.4% in agriculture and 89.3% in construction; by occupation, 66.1% in agriculture and 95.6% in construction) and non-Hispanic white. About one-third had at least 1 sunburn in the past year. The prevalence of sunscreen use and shade seeking was low and did not significantly differ among groups, ranging from 15.1% to 21.4% for sunscreen use and 24.5% to 29.1% for shade seeking. The prevalence of wearing protective clothing was significantly higher among agricultural workers than among construction workers by industry (70.9% vs 50.7%) and occupation (70.5% vs 53.0%). Conclusion Our findings could be used to improve occupational health approaches to reducing skin cancer risk among ACWs and to inform education and prevention initiatives addressing skin cancer. Sun-safety initiatives may include modifying work sites to increase shade and adding sun safety to workplace policies and training. Employers can help reduce occupational health inequities and protect workers by creating workplaces that facilitate sun protection.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Skin Cancer Prevention Behaviors Among Agricultural and Construction Workers in the United States, 2015

et al. 2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…311 In addition to employers, local governments and labor organizations have played a role in increasing programs for sun protection among outdoor workers. 312,313…”

Section: For Outdoor Work Settingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Forekomsten av føflekkreft øker igjen

Veierød¹

2015

Tidsskriftet

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States, yet most cases are preventable. Every year in the United States, nearly 5 million people are treated for skin cancer, at an estimated cost of $8.1 billion. Melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, causes nearly 9,000 deaths each year. Despite recent efforts to address risk factors, skin cancer rates continue to rise.While those with lighter skin are more susceptible, anyone can get skin cancer-and it can be serious, even deadly. As a skin oncologist who worked in this field for many years, I have cared for both young and old with skin cancers. Almost all of the conditions were caused by unnecessary ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure, usually from excessive time in the sun or from the use of indoor tanning devices.It is alarming that every year, nearly one out of every three young white women aged 16-25 engages in indoor tanning. It's important to shatter the myth that tanned skin is a sign of health. And a "base" tan is not a "safe" tan. Tanned skin is damaged skin. Understanding the risk of UV exposure is crucial to protecting ourselves and our loved ones.That is why The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Prevent Skin Cancer is important for all of us. It outlines action steps we can all take-as individuals, parents, educators, employers, policy makers, health care professionals, and communities-to reverse this alarming trend.As a nation, we can all do more to address skin cancer as a serious public health challenge. I urge everyone to find out more about the risk of skin cancer-and what we all can do to prevent it.The rates of skin cancer in our nation are increasing, creating a serious public health concern we cannot ignore. As both a medical doctor and a public health official, I see that now is the time for a comprehensive approach to prevent skin cancer, bringing together community partners, business leaders, government agencies, and individuals for a common cause. As a dermatologist, I consider myself fortunate to be a part of this effort and am proud to release this Call to Action to Prevent Skin Cancer.By acknowledging that most skin cancers can be prevented and bringing together partners with a unified, dynamic approach, we are taking concrete steps to support a healthier country. We know there are many strategies that work to protect us from ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, and we need to use them. For example, we recommend that communities provide shade in recreational and play areas to help protect children from overexposure to UV radiation, that businesses increase availability of sun protection for outdoor workers, that policy makers promote policies for shade planning in land use development, and that health providers counsel patients on the importance of using sun protection.Each day, thousands of teens are exposing themselves, unprotected, to harmful UV radiation from tanning beds, but only 10 states currently have laws in place to prevent this practice for youth younger than age 18 years. Together, we must c...

show abstract

“…Administrators in local government organizations closer to urbanized areas reported taking more steps to support sun protection of outdoor workers. 27 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors Associated With Occupational Sun-Protection Policies in Local Government Organizations in Colorado

et al. 2015

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

IMPORTANCE Skin cancer prevention remains a national priority. Reducing chronic UV radiation exposure for outdoor workers through sun-safety practices is an important step to help reduce the incidence of skin cancer. OBJECTIVE To determine the presence of occupational sun-safety policies at local government organizations in a single state. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Of 571 potentially eligible local government organizations of Colorado cities, counties, and special tax districts, we enrolled 98 in a randomized pretest-posttest controlled experiment starting August 15, 2010, that evaluated an intervention to promote the adoption of sun-safety policies. We used a policy-coding protocol to evaluate personal sun-protection practices, environmental and administrative controls, and policy directives for sun safety starting February 10, 2011. We report the baseline assessment of the occupational sun-protection policies of these organizations. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The presence of an occupational sun-safety policy. RESULTS Overall, 85 local government organizations (87%) had policies that required personal sun-protection practices, including the use of eyewear, hats, and protective clothing. However, of the 98 responding organizations, only 8 hat policies (8%), 10 eyewear policies (10%), and 7 clothing policies (7%) mentioned sun protection as the intent of the policy. Only cosmopoliteness, operationalized as proximity to an urban area, was associated with the presence of a sun-safety policy (odds ratio, 0.99 [95% CI, 0.98–1.00]; P = .02). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Outdoor workers are at increased risk for skin cancer because of long-term exposure to solar UV radiation. Although organizational policies have the potential to increase sun protection in occupational settings, occupational sun-safety policies were uncommon among local governments. Opportunities exist for dermatologists and other physicians to influence occupational sun-safety practices and policies, which are consistent with other safety procedures and could easily be integrated into existing workplace practices.

show abstract

Adoption of Sun Safe Workplace Practices by Local Governments

Cited by 10 publications

References 39 publications

Skin Cancer Prevention Behaviors Among Agricultural and Construction Workers in the United States, 2015

Skin Cancer Prevention Behaviors Among Agricultural and Construction Workers in the United States, 2015

Forekomsten av føflekkreft øker igjen

Factors Associated With Occupational Sun-Protection Policies in Local Government Organizations in Colorado

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About