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Home | Disease & Illness | Skin Cancer Recent studies indicate that American schools are failing miserably when it comes to protecting students from the ultraviolet rays that cause skin cancer. The grim results show that these schools are not only failing to help protect our kids, they actually discourage those students who try to protect themselves. A study that was recently conducted at schools across the United States tracked the steps taken to encourage students to take precautions in the sun. Results were poor, indicating that most schools were doing absolutely nothing. A mere three percent of schools had guidelines in place to address sun safety. Of the plans that were in place, some sun-smart schools had arranged outdoor activities during off-peak sunlight hours or provided indoor activities as alternatives on days when the UV index was high. Children taking part in outdoor activities should be encouraged to wear hats, sleeves and sunscreen during the peak sunlight hours of 11 am to 3 pm. Again, only a little more than three percent of schools have made the grade by following these protective guidelines. Another frightening statistic shows that in more than 66 percent of schools, teachers are not allowed to apply sunscreen on students, unless they have been given a doctor's written prescription. Making matters even worse, fewer than five percent of schools have sunscreen available for those students who request it. This is not the lesson that we should be teaching our kids. Most schools ban hats to reduce the spread of head lice, and sunglasses are also banned at most schools. In regards to outdoor school areas, fewer than 20 percent have shaded areas available to provide students with a protective escape from the sun. It seems that school principals are in need of some lessons in sun safety. At the time of this research study, nearly 70 percent of school principals felt that it was a waste of time and resources to be concerned about the outdoor safety of their students. Some claim to have had no idea that students spending a lot of time in the direct sunlight on the school playground could face an increased risk of skin cancer. A full 84 percent of principals, however, admitted that their students often spent a lot time outdoors during peak sunlight hours. If schools are really going to provide the protection and education that our children need and deserve, they're going to have to make some changes. The report suggested the following improvements: * Trees provide an excellent natural source of shade for students. Planting trees helps to beautify the schoolyard, too. * Structures should be built to create shaded areas, and wider overhangs could be added to all school buildings. This alone would offer protection for many students. * Schools should make every effort to schedule as many outdoor activities as possible before or after peak sunlight hours. * Sunscreen use should not only be permitted, but considered mandatory for all students. A doctor's note should never be a prerequisite for needing a daily sunscreen application. * Hats and sunglasses should be encouraged for all students spending time outdoors. * Health class curricula should include lessons on skin cancer. Students must be taught the causes, effects and prevention of this potentially deadly disease. It can be tough to encourage children and teenagers to make smart choices, particularly when the negative effects may not come into play until decades later. Still, these lessons must be taught, and school is the sensible place to start. As teachers, principals and parents, we all share a responsibility and a duty to keep our kids well educated and safe. There are schools failing in their sun smarts, and those teachers and principals must be taught a few lessons, as well. If we fail to teach students about proper sun protection, our kids will suffer in the end. Article Source: http://www.articlewheel.com
Columnist Joelle Applebe enjoys writing articles for several Internet magazines, on healthy choice and healthy body guide subjects.
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