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CLIMATE CHANGE is a significant and emerging threat to public health, and changes the way we must look at protecting vulnerable populations like children.

Source: World Health Organization, 2003

THE SUN - BENEFITSThe Sun lights our world, heats our planet, controls our weather, gives Earth energy, and the Sun’s gravity prevents Earth from drifting off into space. The Sun is necessary for life on earth, it helps plants grow, provides warmth and light, feeds our bodies energy to synthesize minerals, and helps to prevent some diseases.

Source: Wikipedia.com, 2013

HARMFUL EFFECT of SUN

• The sun produces light and warmth but also can cause increased heat and UV radiation exposure.

• UVA, UVB & UVC rays cannot be seen or felt until the body shows signs and symptoms.

• These harmful effects are: increase in temperature, heat exhaustion or stroke, skin color changes from sun tan or burns, damage in the eyes (cataracts), sun exacerbated diseases, and skin cancer.

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 2013

UV RADIATION LEVELS ARE ALWAYS CHANGING, THE EFFECT IS BASED ON THE FOLLOWING:

• Time of Day

• Time of Year

• Geographic Location

• Altitude

• Weather

• Reflection

• Ozone Layer

• Current illness or medications can cause UV sensitivity

Source: The World Health Organization, 2003.

ALWAYS APPLY & REAPPLY SUNSCREEN WHEN OUTDOORS

SUN PROTECTION STRATEGIES

• Global Solar UV Index: identifies the level of solar UV radiation at the Earth’s Surface and can be used daily as a guide for protection.

• Avoid long exposure to sun mid-day.

• Apply & reapply sunscreen that is broad spectrum; UVA, UVB & UVC.

• Wear Protective clothing.

• Wear a large brimmed hat.

• Seek Shade.

• Wear UV eyewear protection.

Source: The World Health Organization, 2003.

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• The most dangerous effect from UV radiation exposure is skin cancer.

• cancerous growths develop when UV radiation alters the DNA of skin cells damage to skin cells, triggering mutations (genetic defects) that lead the skin cells to multiply rapidly and form malignant tumors.  

• Melanomas often resemble moles; some develop from moles.

• Estimated new cases and deaths from melanoma in the United States in 2013: New cases: 76,690 Deaths: 9,480

Source: The National Cancer Institute, 2013.

UV Radiation Exposure

GET YOUR SKINCHECKED ANNUALLY

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KNOW WHAT CANCEROUS MOLES, LESIONS, AND MARKS LOOK LIKE…

Source: National Cancer Institute, 2013

Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012

HEAT EXPOSURE • From 1999 to 2010, a total

of 7,415 deaths in the United States, an average of 618 per year, were associated with exposure to excessive natural heat. 

• Children are metabolically and physiologically different from adults. Their bodies don’t self-regulate, and core temperatures can rise 3-5 times faster than an adult.

• Children dehydrate easily and may not be able to convey their thirst or understand their need to hydrate when playing outdoors.

• Child athletes are at risk of exertional heat stroke because of the physical demand on the body.

RECOGNIZE THE SIGNS &SYMPTOMS OF HEAT STROKE

Sweating Fatigue Headache Nausea Loss of coordination Confusion Dry mouth No saliva or tears Fast pulse Dilated pupils

HEAT STROKE PREVENTION STRATEGIES

Hydrate: Drink 8 ounces every 30 minutes.

Wear loose, lightweight clothing.

Gradually adjust to exercise/play in the heat: start walking, then build as tolerated.

Take rest periods. Parents, caregivers,

teachers & coaches should monitor children regularly and know how to mange exposure.

HEAT STROKE MANAGEMENT

• Act fast. Call 911• Move to a cooler

location.• Rest lying down with

feet elevated.• If conscious have the

child drink as much water as possible.

• Loosen and/or remove clothing.

• Massage arms and legs.

• Wet body with cool compresses.

• If child vomits roll head to side.

GET ANNUAL EYE EXAMS

Protect Your Eyes from UV Damage

Worldwide approximately 18 million people are blind as a result of cataracts, of these 5% of all cataract related disease burden is directly attributable to UV radiation exposure.

• Acute effects of UV radiation include photokeratitis and photoconjunctivitis These effects are reversible, easily prevented by protective eyewear and are not associated with any long-term damage.

• Chronic effects of UV radiation include: Cataract: an eye disease where the lens becomes increasingly opaque, resulting in impaired vision and eventual blindness; Pterygium: a white or creamy fleshy growth on the surface of the eye;

Prevention Strategies

• Annual eye exams should start early in childhood.

• Wear Sunglasses that provide both UVA & UVB Protection; UVB damage is cumulative over time and the damage can be prevented.

Source: The World Health Organization, 2013

\ Wear Eye Protection

PREVENTION IN YOUTH MAKESFOR A HEALTHY LONG LIFE

• Wear Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Year round.

• Shade your eyes with UV protective eyewear.

• Wear lightweight protective clothing.

• Use the UV Index as a guide

• Don’t ignore moles and freckles.

• Drink plenty of water.• Eat healthy foods rich in

antioxidants and vitamin C.

Source: Kidshealth.org., 2012

FURTHER INFORMATION & RESOURCES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. (2012). Retrieved from: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/heat_guide.asp

Environmental Protection Agency website. (2013). Retrieved from: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/

Kidshealth.org website. (2013). Retrieved from:

http://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/outdoor/sun_safety.html

National Cancer Institute website. (2013). Retrieved from: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/melanoma

Wikipedia.com website. (2013). Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun

World Health Organization. (2003). Retrieved from: www.who.int/uv/publications/en/primaryteach.pdf

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