Solar UVR protection: Provincial and territorial sun safety policies in schools

February 1, 2019

Learn how provincial and territorial governments can reduce exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) in schools

Inside this UVR policy pack

• UVR policy pack: background evidence
• Evidence-informed UVR policy actions
• Key statistics: Exposure to solar and artificial UVR in Canada
• Public perceptions of the issue of exposure to UVR and cancer
• Economic evidence to support UVR policy
• Indicators to measure progress on UVR policy

Sun safety policies in schools

Issue

Develop UVR protection policies in child care settings, schools, recreational settings for children and adolescents, and workplaces with outdoor workers^1,2,3

Action

Adopt sun safety policies within schools ^3,4

Provide UVR protection control measures in line with best practice (e.g., protective clothing, use of sunscreen, modelling by teachers, shade, scheduling of recess, education and enforcement) ^3,4

Degree of policy adoption*

LOW

Current action(s) in Canada

Adoption for evidence-informed sun safety policies within schools (K-12) is low. No province or territory has legislation that provides for UVR protection within schools. Sun safety policies may be adopted at the school and school board levels.

* Levels of adoption:  Low = very few jurisdictions have adopted evidence-informed policy action; Medium = some, but not all jurisdictions have adopted evidence-informed policy action; High = most jurisdictions have adopted evidence-informed policy action.

References

¹ Cancer Care Ontario (2016). Prevention System Quality Index. Retrieved from: https://www.cancercareontario.ca/en/statistical-reports/prevention-system-quality-index

² Occupational Cancer Research Centre (OCRC)/Cancer Care Ontario (CCO). (2017).  Burden of Occupational Cancer in Ontario: Major workplace carcinogens and prevention of exposure. Retrieved from: http://www.occupationalcancer.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Burden-of-Occupational-Cancer-in-Ontario.pdf

³ SunSmart Victoria. (2015). Policy Statements and Actions. Retrieved from: https://www.sunsmart.com.au/downloads/shade/suggested-policy-statements.pdf

⁴Department of Health (Victoria, Australia). (2019). Shade Grants Program. Retrieved from: https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/public-health/preventive-health/skin-cancer-prevention