These guidelines provide recommendations for skin cancer prevention activities within a coordinated school health program. In addition, these guidelines are based on scientific literature, national policy documents, current practice, and theories and principles of health behavioral change. Schools and community organizations can work together to develop plans that are relevant and achievable. Sustained support from school staff, students, communities, state and local education and health agencies, families, institutions of higher education, and national organizations are necessary to ensure the effectiveness of school skin cancer prevention activities.
Seven broad guidelines are included that school programs can use to reduce the risk for skin cancer among students: 1) policy, 2) environmental change, 3) education, 4) families, 5) professional development, 6) health services, and 7) evaluation. Refer to the original guideline document for suggestions regarding key elements, steps for implementation, and realistic expectations for change.
- Guideline 1: Policy. Establish policies that reduce exposure to ultraviolet
(UV) radiation.
- Guideline 2: Environmental change. Provide and maintain physical and social
environments that support sun safety and that are consistent with the
development of other healthful habits.
- Guideline 3: Education. Provide health education to teach students the
knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral skills they need to prevent skin cancer.
The education should be age-appropriate and linked to opportunities for
practicing sun-safety behaviors.
- Guideline 4: Family involvement. Involve family members in skin cancer prevention
efforts.
- Guideline 5: Professional
development. Include skin cancer prevention knowledge and skills
in preservice and inservice education for school administrators, teachers,
physical education teachers and coaches, school nurses, and others who work
with students.
- Guideline 6: Health services. Complement and support skin cancer prevention education
and sun-safety environments and policies with school health services.
- Guideline 7: Evaluation. Periodically evaluate whether schools are implementing the guidelines on policies, environmental change, education, families, professional development, and health services.
