The Dermatology Nurses' Association (DNA) has become an official partner in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) SunWise Program, a sweeping effort to educate Americans about the health risks of sun exposure.
DNA joins a network of SunWise Partners, including education, sports, and other nonprofit organizations, in the national campaign. The program's goal is to reach as many people as possible with a comprehensive sun safety education program through schools, classrooms and communities.
"Dermatology nurses are on the frontlines when it comes to teaching people about the risks of sun exposure. We see the damage and suffering every day," said DNA President Susan J. Tofte, MS, RN, FNP-C. "Along with the other SunWise Partners, DNA will help get the message of UV dangers into people's hands and encourage them to incorporate safety measures into their daily lives."
DNA will help reach the public about SunWise behavior through its members across the country. Activities, which include media outreach and educational materials, will be coordinated with the EPA. The SunWise Web site, www.epa.gov/sunwise <http://www.epa.gov/sunwise> , features activities for schools, interactive educational games for children, and resources for communities to promote awareness. In addition to DNA, SunWise Partners include the SHADE Foundation, the American Academy of Dermatology, the National Weather Service, the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation, and many other organizations.
More than 1 million people a year are diagnosed with skin cancer, accounting for more than half of all new cancers in the U.S. each year according to the American Cancer Society. Ozone depletion has increased the risk of UV overexposure, and in addition to skin cancer and premature aging, the sun can cause other health problems such as cataracts.
For more information about the SunWise Program, go to www.epa.gov/sunwise
