Sustained Impact of an Occupational Skin Cancer Health Communication Campaign on Outdoor Workers (2004-2012)

• In Event: Cancer Health Communication

Abstract

Sustainability of health communication programs is a national public health goal. The effectiveness of Go Sun Smart (GSS), an occupational skin cancer health communication program, was evaluated five-seven years out from the conclusion of a randomized dissemination trial that compared an enhanced v. basic dissemination strategy. Employees’ (n=2,940) awareness of GSS, their sunburn prevalence, and sun protection practices were assessed at 53 ski areas originally enrolled in the dissemination study. Employees at ski areas in the enhanced condition reported fewer sunburns but did not differ from employees in the basic condition on any other sun protection measures. Significant differences for all sun protection practices were identified at ski areas that displayed 9 or more GSS materials or a combined total of 9 or more GSS and other sun safety messages. GSS demonstrated continued to improve sun protection over the long-term due to sustained exposure to health communication messages.

This research was supported in part by a grant from the National Cancer Institute: CA159840

Authors

• Barbara J. Walkosz, Klein Buendel

• David B. Buller, Klein Buendel, Inc.

• Peter A. Andersen, San Diego State U

• Michael D. Scott, Mikonics

• Gary Cutter, U of Alabama