Population and age-group trends in weekend sun protection and sunburn over two decades of the SunSmart programme in Melbourne, Australia

Abstract

The similarity of the pattern of trends among age groups suggests that external influences including the SunSmart programme's activity had a relatively similar impact across the population. Sun-related behaviours continue to be amenable to change. More recent relative stability with some declines in sun protection suggests further intensive campaigns and other strategies may be needed to maintain previous successes and to achieve more universal use of sun protection.

An Observational Study of Sun-Protective Behaviour at an Outdoor Spectator Sporting Event in a Region of High Sun Exposure

“…This very successful cancer control program [6] has been adopted in several other countries from Hawaii [7] to South Africa [8] although its effectiveness in Australia appears to have declined recently [9,10].…”

A Mobile Technology Intervention With Ultraviolet Radiation Dosimeters and Smartphone Apps for Skin Cancer Prevention in Young Adults: Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

“…While we did not observe a significant effect on the SPH index, some differences in specific measures of sun exposure were noted between the groups. The reduction in weekend unprotected sun exposure for the UVR monitor group was encouraging as weekend sun exposure is common with 21% of adolescents reporting being sunburnt on an average summer weekend in Australia [3].…”

“…Melanoma is the most common cancer in those aged 15 to 39 years in Australia [2]. Consistently across the USA, several European countries and Australia, young adults are reporting higher levels of sunburn compared to older adults, despite having good knowledge and sun-protective intentions [3][4][5]. In Australia, people 18-24 years were seven times more likely to report sunburn on the previous weekend than those over 65 years [6].…”

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“…The SunSmart prevention campaign, launched by the Anti-Cancer Council of Victoria, is a sun protection program designed to prevent skin cancers, including cutaneous melanomas [1]. The campaign first began in the early 1980s as the 'Slip!…”