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Promoting Sun Protection in Elementary Schools and Child Care Settings: The SunSafe Project
Author(s) -
GrantPetersson Jennifer,
Dietrich Allen J.,
Sox Carol Hill,
Winchell Charlotte Woodruff,
Stevens Marguerite M.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
journal of school health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.851
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1746-1561
pISSN - 0022-4391
DOI - 10.1111/j.1746-1561.1999.tb07216.x
Subject(s) - outreach , curriculum , child care , intervention (counseling) , medical education , medicine , nursing , psychology , family medicine , pedagogy , political science , law
Elementary schools and child care settings in rural New Hampshire participated in a sun protection program that reached more than 4,200 children. The program was part of a successful multifaceted community intervention targeting children ages 2–9. Program components included curricular materials, training and support for school/child care staff, and parent outreach. Evaluation showed good uptake of the curriculum by teachers and child care providers, improvements in sun protection policy in participating schools and child care settings, and significant knowledge and attitude improvements in fourth grade children tested, as well as actual behavior change. The study highlighted the importance of flexible, developmentally appropriate curricular materials and active engagement of principals and directors in policy review. In addition, for parent outreach programs to be successful, children needed to participate.