Promotion of Skin Protection in Children in Waterbury, VT

Background: Vermont has among the highest rates of skin cancer in the nation. Between 2001 and 2005, Vermont had the highest incidence of melanoma of any state, 63% higher than the national average. It is also estimated that if children under 18 regularly used sunscreen of at least SPF 15, the incidence of squamous and basal cell carcinomas would decrease by 78%. Modeling by the EPA and CDC suggests that recommended sun protection measures could prevent 11,000 cases of skin cancer, 50 deaths, and $30 million in cancer treatment costs nationwide. Intervention: To create an information sheet on skin protection and skin cancer prevention to be included in well-child visits at the Waterbury Health Center. Method: I integrated state-specific data, national data, and epidemiologic facts about the risks of sun exposure and other risks for skin cancer with recommendations made by the UVM Dermatology residents who I interviewed, in order to create a brief yet fairly comprehensive fact sheet on skin protection in children.https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/fmclerk/1281/thumbnail.jp