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SUNWISE BACKGROUND
a program that radiates good ideas
A Partnership Program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
www.epa.gov/sunwise
SunWise is the most widely used health education program in the
United States... here's why!
Why Protect Yourself and
Your Family?
29 Americans die every day from skin cancer.
Half of all cancers in the US are skin cancers. One in five
Americans will develop skin cancer during their lifetime.
More than one million new cases of skin cancer will be
found in the U.S. this year alone.
The number of people with the deadliest form of skin
cancer, melanoma, is rising at an alarming rate. In 2005,
one in 62 Americans had a lifetime risk of developing the
disease — that's 20 times higher than it was in 1930.
Skin cancer is preventable. You can take simple steps now
to lower your risk.
SunWise Goal
Reduce children's lifetime risk of developing skin cancer.
What is the
Program?
Be a SunWise School
SunWise
SunWise is a national award-winning environmental and health education program that
teaches children and their caregivers how to protect themselves from overexposure to the
sun. SunWise is the only national K-8 skin cancer prevention program in the United
States. Your school will receive a free SunWise Tool Kit with standards-based, cross-
curricular classroom activities for grades K-8; a UV sensitive Frisbee for hands-on
experiments and fun; story and activity books; a poster; a video; policy guidance, and
more. Join the more than 14,000 schools and 500,000 students that are SunWise.
Be a SunWise Partner
SunWise partners with science centers, museums, parks, camps, and other informal
education facilities to expand and reinforce the SunWise message. By working with
multiple organizations within a community, SunWise Communities takes SunWise from the
classroom into the community at large. Participating communities encourage residents to
practice EPA's SunWise Action Steps; endorse SunWise programs within schools and
informal education programs; and proclaim May 1st "SunWise Day".
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nWi
a program that radiates good ideas
A Partnership Program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
www.epa.gov/sunwise
SunWise is in Ail 50 States
SunWise Protection
SunWise survey results show an 11% decrease in sunburns, the most preventable
risk factor for melanoma, and a 10% decrease in students' desire for a tan.
Teachers benefit too. Surveys from 480 SunWise educators show 75% changed
their own sun protection practices.
How SunWise is Reaching its Goal
Focus on educating kids
Simple messages and action steps.
Repeat messages in multiple venues through leveraged messengers
SunWise targets children and families through schools, informal education
institutions, sporting events, meteorologists, and SunWise Communities.
Customer focus
Materials are designed to be flexible and easy to use. Hands-on activities help
children learn and practice prevention.
Performance-based evaluation
Ongoing surveys check for changes in attitudes and behaviors regarding sun
safety.
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nWi
Be SunWise!
a program that radiates good ideas
A Partnership Program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
www.epa.gov/sunwise
Do not Burn
Five or more sunburns double your risk of developing skin cancer.
Avoid Sun Tanning and Tanning Beds
UV light from tanning beds and the sun causes skin cancer and wrinkling. If you want to look
like you've been in the sun, consider using a sunless self-tanning product, but continue to use
sunscreen with it.
Generously Apply Sunscreen
Generously apply sunscreen to all exposed skin using a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least
15 that provides broadspectrum protection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (DVB)
rays. Reapply every two hours, even on cloudy days, and after swimming or sweating.
Wear Protective Clothing
Wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and
sunglasses, where possible.
Seek Shade
Seek shade when appropriate, remembering that the sun's UV rays are strongest between 10
a.m. and 4 p.m.
Use Caution Near Water, Snow and Sand
Water, snow and sand reflect the damaging rays of the sun, which can increase your chance of
sunburn.
Watch for the UV Index
The UV Index provides important information to help you plan your outdoor activities in ways
that prevent overexposure to the sun's rays. Developed by the National Weather Service and
EPA, the UV Index is issued daily nationwide.
Get Vitamin D Safely
Get vitamin D safely through a diet that includes vitamin supplements and foods fortified with
Vitamin D. Don't seek the sun.
Early detection of melanoma can save your life. Carefully examine ALL of your skin once
a month. A new or changing mole in and adult should be evaluated by a dermatologist.
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