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Ragan KR, Buchanan Lunsford N, Thomas CC, Tai EW, Sussell A, Holman DM. Skin Cancer Prevention Behaviors Among Agricultural and Construction Workers in the United States, 2015. Prev Chronic Dis 2019; 16:E15. [PMID: 30730830 PMCID: PMC6395080 DOI: 10.5888/pcd16.180446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Nearly 5 million people are treated for skin cancer each year in the United States. Agricultural and construction workers (ACWs) may be at increased risk for skin cancer because of high levels of ultraviolet radiation exposure from the sun. This is the first study that uses nationally representative data to assess sun-protection behaviors among ACWs. Methods We analyzed data from the 2015 National Health Interview Survey Cancer Control Supplement to examine the prevalence of sun-protection behaviors among ACWs. We calculated national, weighted, self-reported prevalence estimates. We used χ2 tests to assess differences between ACWs by industry and occupation. Results Most of the 2,298 agricultural and construction workers studied were male (by industry, 72.4% in agriculture and 89.3% in construction; by occupation, 66.1% in agriculture and 95.6% in construction) and non-Hispanic white. About one-third had at least 1 sunburn in the past year. The prevalence of sunscreen use and shade seeking was low and did not significantly differ among groups, ranging from 15.1% to 21.4% for sunscreen use and 24.5% to 29.1% for shade seeking. The prevalence of wearing protective clothing was significantly higher among agricultural workers than among construction workers by industry (70.9% vs 50.7%) and occupation (70.5% vs 53.0%). Conclusion Our findings could be used to improve occupational health approaches to reducing skin cancer risk among ACWs and to inform education and prevention initiatives addressing skin cancer. Sun-safety initiatives may include modifying work sites to increase shade and adding sun safety to workplace policies and training. Employers can help reduce occupational health inequities and protect workers by creating workplaces that facilitate sun protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen R Ragan
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Atlanta, Georgia.,Division of Cancer Prevention and Control; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy, MS F76, Atlanta, GA 30341.
| | - Natasha Buchanan Lunsford
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Cheryll C Thomas
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Eric W Tai
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Aaron Sussell
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Spokane Mining Research Division, Spokane, Washington
| | - Dawn M Holman
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Atlanta, Georgia
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Buller DB, Walkosz BJ, Buller MK, Wallis A, Andersen PA, Scott MD, Meenan RT, Cutter GR. Implementation of Occupational Sun Safety at a 2-Year Follow-Up in a Randomized Trial: Comparison of Sun Safe Workplaces Policy Intervention to Attention Control. Am J Health Promot 2018; 33:683-697. [PMID: 30477333 DOI: 10.1177/0890117118814398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Implementation of employer sun safety actions was assessed in a 2-year follow-up to an occupational sun protection policy intervention. DESIGN Two-year follow-up assessment in a randomized pretest-posttest controlled design. SETTING Local government organizations with workers in public safety, public works, and parks and recreation. PARTICIPANTS Sixty-three local government organizations (participation = 64%) and 330 frontline supervisors and 1454 workers. INTERVENTION Sun Safe Workplaces (SSW) intervention promoting occupational sun safety policy and education. MEASURES Observations of SSW messages and sun safety items and surveys on organizations' communication and actions on sun safety. ANALYSIS Comparison between SSW and control groups was conducted using regression models and adjusted for clustering where appropriate, with α criterion set at P = .05 (2-tailed). RESULTS At intervention worksites, more SSW messages ( P < .001) and sun safety items ( P = .025) were observed; more frontline supervisors reported organizations provided free/reduced price sunscreen ( P = .005) and communicated about sun safety ( P < .001); and more workers recalled receiving sun safety messages ( P < .001) and sun safety training ( P <.001) compared to control organizations. Implementation was greater at larger than smaller intervention organizations for wide-brimmed hats ( P = .009), long work pants ( P = .017), and shade structures ( P = .036). Older workers received the most written messages ( P = .015). CONCLUSIONS Sun Safe Workplaces appeared to produce actions by organizations to support employee sun safety. Large organizations may have processes, communication channels, and slack resources to achieve more implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Allan Wallis
- 2 School of Public Affairs, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Peter A Andersen
- 3 School of Communication, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | - Richard T Meenan
- 5 Kaiser Permanente, Center for Health Research, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Gary R Cutter
- 6 Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
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Weller RB. The health benefits of UV radiation exposure through vitamin D production or non-vitamin D pathways. Blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. Photochem Photobiol Sci 2018; 16:374-380. [PMID: 28009890 DOI: 10.1039/c6pp00336b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The detrimental effects of ultraviolet radiation are well known. Skin cancer, photo-aging, and induction or exacerbation of photosensitive dermatoses have been the focus of most photobiological research since 1928 when Findlay confirmed the carcinogenicity of ultraviolet radiation using a murine model of skin cancer. The epidemiological, mechanistic and clinical trial data have enabled the classification by the International Agency for Research on Cancer of ultraviolet radiation as a Group 1 ('sufficient evidence') carcinogen for human skin. Public health advice in most developed countries with a pale-skinned population following this has advocated limiting exposure to sunlight through use of clothing, sunblock and behavioural alterations. Despite this plethora of data, one striking omission is evidence that ultraviolet radiation shortens life, and as I will lay out in this chapter, epidemiological and now mechanistic data suggest that UV may have significant benefits on health and in particular cardiovascular health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard B Weller
- MRC Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, UK.
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Taber JM, Dickerman BA, Okhovat JP, Geller AC, Dwyer LA, Hartman AM, Perna FM. Skin cancer interventions across the cancer control continuum: Review of technology, environment, and theory. Prev Med 2018; 111:451-458. [PMID: 29277407 PMCID: PMC5949070 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2017.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2017] [Revised: 11/11/2017] [Accepted: 12/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The National Cancer Institute's Skin Cancer Intervention across the Cancer Control Continuum model was developed to summarize research and identify gaps concerning skin cancer interventions. We conducted a mapping review to characterize whether behavioral interventions addressing skin cancer prevention and control from 2000 to 2015 included (1) technology, (2) environmental manipulations (policy and/or built environment), and (3) a theoretical basis. We included 86 studies with a randomized controlled or quasi-experimental design that targeted behavioral intervention in skin cancer for children and/or adults; seven of these were dissemination or implementation studies. Of the interventions described in the remaining 79 articles, 57 promoted only prevention behaviors (e.g., ultraviolet radiation protection), five promoted only detection (e.g., skin examinations), 10 promoted both prevention and detection, and seven focused on survivorship. Of the 79 non-dissemination studies, two-thirds used some type of technology (n=52; 65.8%). Technology specific to skin cancer was infrequently used: UVR photography was used in 15.2% of studies (n=12), reflectance spectroscopy was used in 12.7% (n=10), and dermatoscopes (n=1) and dosimeters (n=2) were each used in less than 3%. Ten studies (12.7%) targeted the built environment. Fifty-two (65.8%) of the studies included theory-based interventions. The most common theories were Social Cognitive Theory (n=20; 25.3%), Health Belief Model (n=17; 21.5%), and the Theory of Planned Behavior/Reasoned Action (n=12; 15.2%). Results suggest that skin cancer specific technology and environmental manipulations are underutilized in skin cancer behavioral interventions. We discuss implications of these results for researchers developing skin cancer behavioral interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M Taber
- Behavioral Research Program, National Cancer Institute, United States.
| | | | | | - Alan C Geller
- Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, United States
| | | | - Anne M Hartman
- Behavioral Research Program, National Cancer Institute, United States
| | - Frank M Perna
- Behavioral Research Program, National Cancer Institute, United States
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Perna FM, Dwyer LA, Tesauro G, Taber JM, Norton WE, Hartman AM, Geller AC. Research on Skin Cancer-Related Behaviors and Outcomes in the NIH Grant Portfolio, 2000-2014: Skin Cancer Intervention Across the Cancer Control Continuum (SCI-3C). JAMA Dermatol 2017; 153:398-405. [PMID: 28329179 PMCID: PMC5817496 DOI: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2016.6216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2016] [Accepted: 12/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Importance The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Prevent Skin Cancer broadly identified research gaps, but specific objectives are needed to further behavioral intervention research. Objective To review National Institute of Health (NIH) grants targeting skin cancer-related behaviors and relevant outcomes. Design, Setting, and Participants A portfolio analysis of the title, abstract, specific aims, and research plans of identified grant applications from 2000 to 2014 targeting skin cancer-related behaviors or testing behavioral intervention effects on cancer-relevant outcomes along the cancer continuum. Main Outcomes and Measures Funding trends were compared along the cancer control continuum, with respect to investigator demographics and use of theory, technology, policy, and changes to environmental surroundings (built environment). Results A total of 112 submitted applications met inclusion criteria; of these, 40 (35.7%) were funded, and 31 of the 40 were interventions. Comparing the 40 funded grants with the 72 unfunded grants, the overall success rates did not differ significantly between male (33.3%) and female (37.3%) investigators, nor did the frequency of R01 awards (36.7% and 28.1%, respectively). Among intervention awards, most (24 of 31) addressed prevention. Fewer awards targeted detection alone or in conjunction with prevention (3) or cancer survivorship (4), and no grant addressed emotional sequelae or adherence behavior related to diagnosis or treatment. Fewer than half of funded grants aimed for clinically related targets (eg, sunburn reduction). Use of theory and technology occurred in more than 75% of grants. However, the full capability of proposed technology was infrequently used, and rarely did constructs of the proposed behavior change theory clearly and comprehensively drive the intervention approach. Policy or environmental manipulation was present in all dissemination grants but was rarely used elsewhere, and 19.4% included policy implementation and 25.8% proposed changes in built environment. Conclusions and Relevance Grant success rate in skin cancer-related behavioral science compares favorably to the overall NIH grant success rate (approximately 18%), and the success rate of male and female investigators was not statistically different. However, gaps exist in behavioral research addressing all points of the skin cancer control continuum, measuring interventions that hit clinically related targets, and leveraging technology, theory, and environmental manipulation to optimize intervention approach.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Alan C. Geller
- Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
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Buller DB, Walkosz BJ, Buller MK, Wallis A, Andersen PA, Scott MD, Eye R, Liu X, Cutter G. Results of a Randomized Trial on an Intervention Promoting Adoption of Occupational Sun Protection Policies. Am J Health Promot 2017; 32:1042-1053. [PMID: 28447466 DOI: 10.1177/0890117117704531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate an intervention promoting adoption of occupational sun protection policies by employers in a randomized trial. DESIGN A randomized pretest-posttest controlled design with 2-year follow-up was conducted in 2010 to 2013. SETTING Local government organizations in Colorado who had outdoor workers in public works, public safety, and/or parks and recreation. PARTICIPANTS Ninety-eight local government organizations (n = 51 municipalities, 10 counties, and 37 special districts). INTERVENTION Organizations were randomly assigned to receive a policy and education intervention comprised of personal contacts and theory-based training and materials or to an attention control group. MEASURES Occupational policy documents were coded for sun safety content by a trained research assistant blind to condition. ANALYSIS Policy scores were analyzed with logistic and Poisson regression models using imputation. RESULTS At posttest, more organizations in the intervention group had a sun protection policy than in the control group (odds ratio [OR] = 4.91, P < .05; intent to treat: OR = 5.95, P < .05) and policies were more extensive (χ2 = 31.29, P < .01; intent to treat: χ2 =73.79, P < .01) and stronger (χ2 = 24.50, P < .01; intent to treat: χ2 = 51.95, P < .01). Policy adoption was higher when the number of contacts and trainings increased ( P < .05). CONCLUSION The intervention had a large effect on adoption of formal sun protection policies, perhaps because of its fit with legal requirements to maintain safe workplaces. Personal contacts with managers were influential on adoption of occupational policy even in this age of communication technology and social media.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Allan Wallis
- 2 School of Public Affairs, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Peter A Andersen
- 3 School of Communication, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Michael D Scott
- 4 Department of Communication Arts and Sciences, California State University, Chico, CA, USA
| | | | - Xia Liu
- 1 Klein Buendel, Inc, Golden, CO, USA
| | - Gary Cutter
- 5 Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, USA
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Walkosz BJ, Buller DB, Andersen PA, Wallis A, Buller MK, Scott MD. Factors Associated With Occupational Sun-Protection Policies in Local Government Organizations in Colorado. JAMA Dermatol 2015; 151:991-7. [PMID: 25993051 DOI: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2015.0575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Skin cancer prevention remains a national priority. Reducing chronic UV radiation exposure for outdoor workers through sun-safety practices is an important step to help reduce the incidence of skin cancer. OBJECTIVE To determine the presence of occupational sun-safety policies at local government organizations in a single state. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Of 571 potentially eligible local government organizations of Colorado cities, counties, and special tax districts, we enrolled 98 in a randomized pretest-posttest controlled experiment starting August 15, 2010, that evaluated an intervention to promote the adoption of sun-safety policies. We used a policy-coding protocol to evaluate personal sun-protection practices, environmental and administrative controls, and policy directives for sun safety starting February 10, 2011. We report the baseline assessment of the occupational sun-protection policies of these organizations. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The presence of an occupational sun-safety policy. RESULTS Overall, 85 local government organizations (87%) had policies that required personal sun-protection practices, including the use of eyewear, hats, and protective clothing. However, of the 98 responding organizations, only 8 hat policies (8%), 10 eyewear policies (10%), and 7 clothing policies (7%) mentioned sun protection as the intent of the policy. Only cosmopoliteness, operationalized as proximity to an urban area, was associated with the presence of a sun-safety policy (odds ratio, 0.99 [95% CI, 0.98-1.00]; P = .02). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Outdoor workers are at increased risk for skin cancer because of long-term exposure to solar UV radiation. Although organizational policies have the potential to increase sun protection in occupational settings, occupational sun-safety policies were uncommon among local governments. Opportunities exist for dermatologists and other physicians to influence occupational sun-safety practices and policies, which are consistent with other safety procedures and could easily be integrated into existing workplace practices.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Peter A Andersen
- School of Communication, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | - Allan Wallis
- School of Public Affairs, University of Colorado, Denver
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Sustained use of an occupational sun safety program in a recreation industry: follow-up to a randomized trial on dissemination strategies. Transl Behav Med 2015; 5:361-71. [PMID: 26622909 DOI: 10.1007/s13142-015-0321-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The sustainability of evidence-based programs is needed to obtain long-term benefits. To assess sustainability of Go Sun Smart (GSS), an occupational skin cancer prevention program disseminated to the North American ski industry. Fifty-three of the 68 ski areas from the original dissemination trial participated in 2012 and 2013, 5 to 7 years after program distribution by enhanced or basic dissemination strategies. Sustained use was measured by: (1) on-site observation of sun protection communication and (2) an online survey with senior managers. In the sustainability assessment, sun safety communication had declined, and dissemination strategy did not affect continued use. Managers held weaker attitudes about skin cancer importance and program fit, but more managers provided free/reduced-cost sunscreen than in the dissemination trial. Manager turnover was a key factor in program discontinuance. Sustainability remains a challenge. Additional research is needed to determine the best strategies for sustainability.
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