Evidence-Based Sun Safety Programs: A Guide for Patients and Caregivers

Sun safety is a key step in preventing skin cancer, and research-backed programs have been developed to encourage better sun protection habits across different groups. Examples for the general public include Healthy Texts (personalized text reminders), Pool Cool (education and activities at swimming pools), and Zoo Visitor Programs (signs, activity sheets, and coupons). For children, interventions like Block the Sun, Not the Fun, Colorado Kids Sun Care, Kaiser Kids, and the EPA SunWise Program use newsletters, school lessons, and parent education to build lifelong sun-safe habits. Other targeted programs include support for young women to avoid indoor tanning, pharmacists counseling patients on sun protection, postal workers provided with hats and sunscreen, and kidney transplant recipients at higher risk of skin cancer. These evidence-based strategies show that practical education, community involvement, and tailored interventions can reduce UV exposure and improve long-term skin health.

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