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June 2010
Planning for summer underway
Welcome to this issue of the SunSmart newsletter. As always, it doesn't seem quite right to be talking sun safety when it's 5 degrees outside and a howling southerly, but this is when some of us do our best work!
After a busy and successful SunSmart Week and summer campaign in 2009-10, the SunSmart team is busy planning this summer's activities.
Research and evaluation are vital tools to help us find out what is working well, and what we might need to have another look at. To this end, a post-campaign survey of Never let your child get suburnt has been undertaken, and results are due in July.
We are also awaiting the findings of the Sun Exposure Survey. This research will provide information about the SunSmart behaviours of adults and youth. The results will be presented at the Skin Cancer Control Steering Committee meeting in August.
A third piece of research, which is currently being undertaken, is the Health and Lifestyle Survey. This survey has some questions regarding SunSmart behaviours. The results will be available later on this year.
Changes at SunSmart
There has been a change in the structure of the Sun Safety programme team at HSC. Wayde has decided to step aside from his role as the Sun Safety Programme Manager due to other commitments. He will continue to work in the team, and manage specific projects.
Susie Greene, who was a valuable part of the team for a number of years, has left to explore new opportunities. Susie's wicked sense of humour will be sorely missed!
Welcome to Laurianne
Welcome to Laurianne Reinsborough, who is the new manager of the Sun Safety Programme. Laurianne comes to us from ACC, where she worked for almost eight years in injury prevention. Her contact details are: laurianne@hsc.org.nz
And welcome to Cristina
Welcome also to Cristina van Dam. Cristina is responsible for managing resources and supporting community events. Her contact details are: cristina@hsc.org.nz
Sun safety activites wouldn't happen without health promoters - and we want to make sure we support you with effective resources. To help us, we would be very grateful if health promoters would complete this survey [link to survey]. It will only take about 10 minutes, and every respondent will receive a small gift.
Take the survey now
Skin Cancer Control Steering Committee meeting
Part of HSC's Sun Safety team's planning is around participating in the upcoming Skin Cancer Control Steering Committee meeting. The Committee is a group of experts and key stakeholders who meet to reflect on the previous skin cancer control strategic framework (2008-2011), and develop and identify the strategic direction for the next three years.
UK bans children using sunbeds
It's great to see the United Kingdom following Australia, Germany and Scotland by banning young people (under 18 years) from using sunbeds. The Sunbeds Regulation Act will also see an end to coin-operated booths by requiring salons to be staffed. Read more at the Telegraph and the UK parliament website.
The United States is also looking at tightening regulations after recommendations from the General and Plastic Surgery Devices Panel of the US Food and Drug Administration’s Medical Devices Advisory Committee.
Read more about sunbeds and solaria on the SunSmart website.
New Sun Safety resources
A new poster and flyer have been developed to support sun safety campaigns. The resources feature the messages 'Never get sunburnt' and 'No matter what your skin type, sunburn now could lead to melanoma later in life'. Five icons, based on diamond-shape warning signs, have also been developed to visually communicate 'slip, slop, slap and wrap'.
The poster and flyer tested well with audience focus groups, with participants saying they appreciated the reminder to 'slip, slop, slap and wrap'. Participants suggested placement in service stations, dairies, malls and other places that are on the way to outdoor recreation spots like parks and beaches.
This resource was developed in partnership with the National Office of the Cancer Society.
To order resources email cristina@hsc.org.nz or if you are a Cancer Society health promoter please order through the Cancer Society in the usual way.
Racing Board supports sun safety
The New Zealand Racing Board has made significant progress in its commitment to provide shade at its Summer Festival events. This has taken enthusiasm and innovation from key people within the organisation.
See the SunSmart website for how the Board developed a sun safety policy.
Dates for your diary
1 and 2 July 2010 - Health Promotion Forum Symposium
14 to 20 November 2010 - SunSmart Week
11 March 2011 - Melanoma Network of New Zealand (MelNet) will be hosting the second national Melanoma Summit at Te Papa in Wellington. As with the inaugural summit in 2008, the programme will be designed for all those working in the field of melanoma prevention, including health promoters, health professionals, researchers and policy makers.
Also check out the MelNet list of upcoming conferences, seminars and events.
Please pass this newsletter on!
If you have colleagues with an interest in sun safety, or who you think might like to develop an interest, please forward this newsletter to them. You can do this by pressing 'forward to a friend' at the bottom left of the newsletter. To subscribe, press the subscribe button at the bottom of the newsletter.
And, please email Laurianne or Cristina if there is information you would like included in future newsletters.
Best wishes
Laurianne, Wayde and Cristina
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