Solar UV forecasts: a randomized trial assessing their impact on adults' sun-protection behavior.
This study examined the effectiveness of solar UV forecasts and supporting communications in assisting adults to protect themselves from excessive weekend sun exposure. The study was conducted in Australia, where 557 adult participants with workplace e-mail and Internet access were randomly allocated to one of three weather forecast conditions: standard forecast (no UV), standard forecast + UV, standard forecast + UV + sun-protection messages. From late spring through summer and early autumn, they were e-mailed weekend weather forecasts late in the working week. Each Monday they were e-mailed a prompt to complete a Web-based questionnaire to report sun-related behavior and any sunburn experienced during the previous weekend. There were no significant differences between weather forecast conditions in reported hat use, sunscreen use, sun avoidance, or sunburn. Results indicate that provision of solar-UV forecasts in weather forecasts did not promote markedly enhanced personal sun-protection practices among the adults surveyed.
Dixon
Helen G
HG
Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer, Cancer Control Research Institute, The Cancer Council Victoria, 1 Rathdowne Street, Carlton South, Victoria 3053, Australia. Helen.Dixon@cancervic.org.au
Hill
David J
DJ
Karoly
David J
DJ
Jolley
Damien J
DJ
Aden
Said M
SM
D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012993:Solar Energy; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014887:Weather