Kia ora and welcome to the first SunSmart newsletter published by HSC (Health Sponsorship Council). With so much happening in skin cancer we thought we’d introduce this newsletter to keep you up to date with what HSC is planning in terms of media and resources for SunSmart Week and Summer, what’s going on nationally in the skin cancer prevention sector and the great work being done both within the sector and by other organisations.

An extended version of this newsletter is housed on the SunSmart website. Detailed information can be accessed by clicking "Read More" at the foot of each article.

Kind regards

The SunSmart Team

SunSmart Week - HSC Update

SunSmart Week is fast approaching and we are busy planning media promotion and activities.

Getting involved in SunSmart Week is a great way launching pad for your summer activities. It’s a good time to remind your communities that summer is on its way and it’s time to ‘Get SunSmart’.

To find out what we are planning for SunSmart Week click on "Read More".

Summer 09/10 - HSC Update

Following SunSmart Week, around mid-December, the SunSmart summer campaign launches. Summer messages are similar to those promoted in SunSmart Week, but there is a stronger focus on protecting children from sunburn.

As in previous years, SunSmart media and promotions will be coordinated by the HSC and the Cancer Society of New Zealand (CSNZ).

We’ll update you a bit more on what’s planned closer to the date but, in the meantime, we’d love to know what you’ve got planned for SunSmart Week and summer. If you’d like to share your ideas email wayde@hsc.org.nz

SunSmart Resources

The SunSmart resources stable has been added to, with new items including:

• volleyball – SunSmart branded and a great link between sun safety and physical activity
• UVR frisbees – these are made of UVR colour-change material (and cost less than the drink bottles!)
• bucket hats – camouflage style and branded for the fashion conscious.

All SunSmart resources are available on the SunSmart website. Check out www.sunsmart.org.nz/being-sunsmart/how/merchandise-and-resources.aspx

SunSmart Fact Pack

Based on the Being SunSmart handbook - The SunSmart Fact Pack is a simple, easy-to-use guide to being SunSmart. The Fact Pack includes information on:

• myths and facts about sun exposure
• the golden rules of sun protection - slip, slop, slap and wrap
• UVR and the New Zealand environment
• melanoma and other skin cancers
• tanning – solariums and self-tan products
• protecting children, communities and outdoor workers from over-exposure to the sun.

Using this resource in your work
The SunSmart Fact Pack is a great place to start if you are looking for general information on being SunSmart or how best to offer sun protection. The Fact Pack has tools to help individuals and organisations keep New Zealanders safer from the sun.

This resource will be useful for health workers, health promoters, territorial local authorities, sports trusts, sports clubs, venue managers, event planners and organisers, employers, educational providers, the media and others.

The Fact Pack can be downloaded from www.sunsmart.org.nz/being-sunsmart/how/merchandise-and-resources.aspx.

For more information or queries about the Fact Pack contact us on 04 472 5777 or email wayde@hsc.org.nz.

SunSmart Poster and Flier

Several health promoters have pointed out the difficulty of placing the current ‘Never let your child get sunburnt’ resources into school and general settings. In response we are working with several health promoters and the Cancer Society national office to develop a print resource that is easy to use, supports the national campaign and can be applied in a meaningful way in multiple settings. We’ll keep you informed as things progress.

SunSmart UVI Redevelopment

In 2008, the HSC commissioned some research to assess the effectiveness of the Ultraviolet Index (UVI) – does the public understand it and what impact does it have on participants’ sun safety behaviour?

The research highlighted a number of issues that needed addressing. As a result, HSC convened a UVI Redevelopment Group to look at ways to improve the use and usability of the UVI. This Group will help us determine how valuable and applicable the UVI is to the public and health workers. This, in turn, will help us decide whether it can be modified to be a more useful and better-understood tool. Watch this space.

Click on "Read More" for more details on the UVI redevelopment project.

Child Sun Safety – The importance of Parents and Caregivers

Prior to the launch of the ‘Never let your child get sunburnt’ promotion in late 2007, the HSC commissioned a survey of 741 parents and caregivers to measure key sun safety knowledge and attitudes, the incidence of sunburn within their families, and use of sun protective strategies. Key findings are:

• Parents and caregivers appear to understand the importance of not letting children get sunburnt.
• However, over half the parents surveyed reported that children in their care had been sunburnt in the previous summer.
• There is some relationship between parental attitudes and the incidence of sunburn – parents and caregivers whose children had not been sunburnt the previous summer were more likely to strongly agree with sun protection strategies (such as wearing sunscreen, wearing a hat etc).
  

The HSC plans to evaluate the impact of Never let your child get sunburnt after the summer of 2009/10. Watch this space for updates.

Click "Read More" for more information from the survey.

Developments

Melnet
The SunSmart team at HSC would like to congratulate everyone who worked with us to make MelNet a reality. While many people have contributed, we would particularly like to acknowledge:

• Betsy Marshall, who mustered the enthusiasm of those at the Melanoma Summit to ensure a network was created.
• The MelNet Establishment Committee, particularly Graham Stevens and Gary Duncan, for their commitment and time.
• The Melanoma Foundation of NZ, for hosting the website, and its Executive Director Heather Hyland whose IT expertise has been invaluable.

Let’s not stop here. We would love to see others being recognised within the melanoma control sector for their work in prevention, research, diagnosis and treatment. We encourage you to use the Bulletin Board to hand out a bouquet or two!

Visit www.melanoma.org.nz/MelNet to find out more about MelNet or to use the Bulletin Board.

Indoor Tanning Operators feeling the heat
Recent (excellent) news is that the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified UV-emitting tanning devices as “carcinogenic to humans” - a classification shared with only tobacco and asbestos. With countries including most of Australia, Scotland and Germany banning under-18-year-olds from using solaria, it’s great that Minister of Health, Hon Tony Ryall, plans a survey of the indoor tanning industry to assess its level of compliance with a voluntary code of practice.

Congratulations to the Cancer Society for helping bring this to the government’s attention.

Click "Read More" to see the link to the IARC announcement.

The Next Issue

- SunSmart Week – What’s happening around the country

- No.8 Wire

• SunSmart innovation – Creative ways to stay safe

- Generating Change

• Working with the media – An insider’s guide to getting the most out the media

And more…