The Sustainability of an Occupational Skin Cancer Prevention Program. Issue 11 (November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Walkosz, Barbara J.; Buller, David B.; Andersen, Peter A.; Scott, Michael D.; Cutter, Gary R.
• Is Part Of: Journal of occupational and environmental medicine. Volume 57:Issue 11(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-11
• Subjects: Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Occupational Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental health; Medicine, Industrial; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9803
• DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000000544
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1076-2752

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: Sustainability of prevention programs is a public health goal. Methods: The effectiveness of Go Sun Smart, an occupational skin cancer prevention program, was evaluated 5 to 7 years out from the conclusion of a controlled randomized dissemination trial that compared an enhanced versus basic dissemination strategy at 53 ski areas enrolled in the trial. Results: Employees ( n = 2940) at ski areas in the enhanced condition reported fewer sunburns but did not differ from employees in the basic condition on other sun-protection measures. Significant differences for all sun-protection practices were identified at ski areas that displayed nine or more Go Sun Smart materials or a combined total of nine or more Go Sun Smart and other sun safety messages. Conclusions: Exposure to prevention messages is an important determinant of program effectiveness and potentially of program sustainability.