U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

1. Be SunWise! Free Resources for Sun Safety Education U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

2. Presenter Luke Hall-Jordan Outreach and Education Specialist, SunWise Program U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC Email: hall-jordan.luke@epa.gov Phone: 202-343-9591 Virginia Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance November 6, 2009 Presenter

3. What is theSunWise Program? • The US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) SunWise Program is an environmental and health education program that aims to teach children and their caregivers how to protect themselves from overexposure to the sun. Introduction

4. Why SunWise & Children? • The sun is essential for life on Earth and critical to our well-being. • With a thinner ozone layer and abundance of outdoor activities, it is more important than ever to educate our children about sun safety. • Kids are most at risk for over-exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Introduction

5. SunWise Who’s Using the SunWise Program? • Over 22,000 schools • Over 3,000 informal learning centers • More than 31,000 educators • Over one million children have received SunWise education • All 50 states, District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands have schools using the SunWise program Introduction …as of September 2009

6. SunWise Skin Cancer in VIRGINIA • VA is in the top 25 for highest melanoma incidence in the US • In a 2004 survey, more than 40% of respondents in VA had at least one sunburn during the year. • In 2008, there were 1,620 cases of melanoma in VA. • Skin cancer is the 6th most common cancer overall in VA. Introduction 6

7. SunWise What Do You Receive When You Sign Up? • SunWise Tool Kit • Cross-curricular classroom lessons and background information for K-8 learning levels. • UV-sensitive Frisbee • SunWise: A Sun Safety Program for K-8 video • SunWise Internet Learning Site and UV Database • Innovative educational and information-sharing technologies • Report daily measurements of UV radiation • SunWise Publications • Posters, brochures, newsletters, activity books(Spanish versions available) FREE FREE FREE Introduction

8. EnvironmentalIssues • The ozone layer is a shield in the stratosphere that protects life on Earth from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. • In the 1970s and 1980s, scientists began to discover that the ozone layer was being depleted allowing more UV radiation to reach the Earth's surface. • The level of UV radiation that reaches the Earth’s surface can vary, depending on a variety of factors. Environmental

9. SunWise What is the UV Index? • The UVI is a measure of the level of UV radiation. • The values of the index range from one upward - the higher the UVI, the greater the potential for damage to the skin and eye, and the less time it takes for harm to occur. • The UVI is an important vehicle to alert people about the need to use sun protection. 1-2 Low 3-5 Moderate 6-7 High 8-10 Very High 11+ Extreme Environmental

10. SunWise What affects UV intensity? • Health of the Ozone Layer • Time of Day • Time of Year • Latitude • Altitude • Weather Conditions • Reflection Environmental

11. HealthEffects • Nearly half of all newly diagnosed cancers are skin cancers. • In their lifetime, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer. • One American dies from skin cancer every hour. • More than one million new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the U.S. each year. • Up to 65% of melanoma skin cancers are attributable to UV radiation. Health Effects

12. SunWise Overexposure to the Sun • Skin Cancer • Melanoma & Nonmelanoma • Premature aging of the skin and other skin problems • Cataracts and other eye damage • Immune system suppression Health Effects

13. SunWise Children are Particularly at Risk • Children’s skin is more sensitive to UV radiation damage. • One or two blistering childhood sunburns can double the risk of melanoma later in life. • UV exposure is the #1 preventable risk factor for skin cancer. • UV damage is cumulative. Health Effects

14. Sun Safety Action Steps SunWise Do Not Burn Seek Shade Avoid Sun Tanning and Tanning Beds Use Extra Caution Near Water, Snow & Sand Generously Apply Sunscreen Watch for the UV Index Wear Protective Clothing Get Vitamin D Safely Health Effects 14

15. SunWise K-8 National Educational Standards SunWise Components

16. SunWise matches with the VA Health & Physical Education Standards of Learning! SunWise • Health Education Standards: Students will… • K-2 ‘Describe/explain rules and practices to promote personal safety: i.e. personal behaviors, protective gear, etc.’ • (K.1, 1.2,1.3, 2.3 • 3-5 ‘Explain/demonstrate skills and behaviors concerning personal health habits’ • (3.1, 3.2, 4.4, 5.2) • 6-8 ‘Understand/apply personal safety and wellness: i.e. protective gear and other preventative behaviors, environmental influences on health, etc.’ • (6.1, 6.5, 7.1, 8.1) • PE Standards: • K-2 ‘Participate in physical activity while using appropriate safe behaviors’ • (K.3, K.4, 1.3, 1.5, 2.4) • 3-5 ‘Establish a safe environment and apply safe rules and procedures in physical activity settings’ • (3.3, 3.4, 4.4, 4.5) • 6-8 ‘Identify and follow safety procedures while participating in physical activity’ • (6.4, 7.3, 7.4, 8.5) Taking Action 16

17. SunWise SunWise Activities – Teacher & Students Teacher Page SunWise Components Student Page

18. SunWise Sample SunWise Activities SunWise Components

19. SunWise Using the SunWise Activities • Match the activity with age appropriateness. • Pick and choose an activity. • Be flexible with the activity. • Enhance and expand the activity. • Create new activities. • Combine existing activities. • Remember: the purpose is to educate our children about being “SunWise”. SunWise Components

20. SunWise Additional SunWise Materials All materials are public domain and FREE. You can order multiple copies from www.epa.gov/sunwise. SunWise Components

21. SunWise Educator Resourceswww.epa.gov/sunwise/educator_resources.html SunWise Components

22. TakingAction • How to implement the SunWise program in your school. • Involve others, establish community partnerships • Utilize other professionals • Involve parents/caregivers • Receive SunWise Recognition Taking Action

23. SunWise Taking It Home Community Involvement Organize activities that involve high school students and the community • Health fairs • Building shade structures • School policy changes working with PTA Classroom Activities Teach your class to be SunWise • Introductory Presentations • Use the SunWise Kit • Make a SunWise Bulletin Board • Participate in the SunWise with SHADE Poster Contest Taking Action

24. SunWise Action Plan Brainstorm and Develop an Action Plan… • Why SunWise in your school? • Who is your audience? • Who should and could be involved? • When will you integrate the program? • How are you going to implement the program? • What do you still need to know? Taking Action

25. SunWise Program Evaluationwww.epa.gov/sunwise/evaluation.html Over 10,500 children ages 5-12 receiving SunWise education have: • Marked improvement for all knowledge variables. • Improved attitudes and beliefs about tanning. • Fewer sunburns. • Stronger intentions to avoid adverse sun exposure. Taking Action

26. SunWise Need More Information?www.epa.gov/sunwise/contacts.html Contacts: Luke Hall-Jordan, U.S. EPAPhone: 202-343-9591 Linda Rutsch, U.S. EPAPhone: 202-343-9924 Mailing Address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW (6205J) Washington, DC 20460 Email: sunwise@epa.gov U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Taking Action