Health Promotion Program: SunSmart At School in Australia - Case Study Example

Health Promotion Program Student’s Name Subject Professor University/Institution Location Date Health promotion program is a comprehensive way of addressing individuals’ health behaviours. It then reduces the health and safety risks which reduces risk and disease. Participation is endeared for individuals to develop skills, knowledge, self-management capabilities, opinion, social support and networks to carry out meaningful prevention through positive behaviour. The results of such a program lead to community productivity, reduced disease expenses and multiple benefits (McKenzie, Neiger & Smeltzer 2005). This paper will discuss SunSmart ‘At School’ in Australia as a Health promotion program and its outcomes. 1.0 Health promotion program Sun Smart is a health promotion program that aims to minimize the cost of human skin cancer by taking the leadership roles in order to promote the right balance between the benefits of UV radiation and its harms on Australians. The program operates in every territory and state in Australia through the mandated Cancer Councils build upon the common principles and tailored according to jurisdictional priorities (Dobbinson, et al 2008). The background toward establishment, funding and continuity of SunSmart was and is still from concrete statistics of cancer incidences. The fact is that in two out of three Australians at age of 70 are diagnosed with skin cancer. The resulting death rate from skin cancer stands at 1,830 every year (Sinclair & Foley 2009). SunSmart as an investment is therefore supported for prevention as well as promotion f economic benefits in Australia. According to (SunSmart 2012), intensive SunSmart campaign has been expanded to school and learning institution in what is dubbed as Sun Smart “At School” Schools Program. Protection is carried out from September up to end of April or every time UV levels reaches three or more people. This is however not done during both term one and four. This recommends all schools to implement SunSmart policy that ensure balance for healthy UV exposure. The policy also addresses the duties of caring and staff responsibilities toward health and safety for the students. This is accomplished through multiple information and resources including sample policies, online curriculum and family notes which promote sharing of SunSmart messages. Online curriculum is further subdivided into school type for specificity in accessing relevant program to implement in a particular institutional membership. Common schools, special education schools, out of school care services, indoor and outdoor recommendations are comprehensively addressed in every program. The program as a social prevention strategy depends on participatory services to accomplish its objectives. 2.0 Health issue and target group SunSmart is a program that aims at prevention of skin cancer caused through excessive exposure to UV radiation. Guided by critical data about the trends of cancer in Australia, they make use of every available option to minimize its effect and thus promote economic benefits among Australians. Much exposure to UV radiation cause premature ageing, eye damage, sunburn and skin damage which lead to cancer. On the other hand, too little exposure to UV leads to vitamin D deficiency particularly in children which weaken the muscles and bones and consequently affect the overall health (Holick, 2008). The effect as seen are analysed for considerations. Sunburn result from radiation burn on skin which afterward turn red when on e burns for 2-6 hours. This develops for 24 to 72 hours which eventually damage the skin cells which can then develop into cancer. The more a person is exposed the worse sunburn becomes. However, the amount of sun requirement varies from a person to the other thus sunburn also varies greatly. The critical cases are experienced by fair, light brown skins which are more sensitive to sun, burning more easily. The effect is pronounced in summer where within, 11 minutes sensitive people experience the burns. Despite the age, serious and mild sunburn can lead to irreversible and permanent skin damage which is a ground for skin cancer in the later part of life. SunSmart help in protection of sunburn to prevent later skin cancer. Holick, (2008) there are sun-related damages including photo-conjunctivitis, photo-keratitis, cataracts, macular degeneration and skin cancer to the skin that surrounds the eye. SunSmart design ways to prevent eye damage through its campaign. Premature ageing is visible through skin damages by exposure to UV radiation. Some of the most common signs are wrinkling, blotchiness, sagging ad roughness. SunSmart is very considerate of young children and students and prevent such unhealthy outcomes. The program support Vitamin D by alerting the right levels of sun and advising the right amount of sun which maintains adequate levels of Vitamin D. The information expands to photosensitivity and analyses the impact of chemicals which may increase skin sensitivity to UV radiation and increases the contraction chances of skin cancer. As a school health program, it is one of the most cost-effective investments a nation can make. This is because it improves health and education simultaneously. The students are equipped with skills and knowledge to prevent health risks where the education sector is integrated as convenient approach to change of educational, economic, social and political conditions which affect risk. The school has enormous capacity in influencing students of risks issues as students spend much of their time in schools. This influence habits development which ends u benefiting the entire community when students and their families’ minds are shaped (McKenzie, Neiger & Smeltzer 2005). This immensely makes SunSmart “at school” program to be the most effective health campaign. 3.0 Intervention strategies- Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion SunSmart “At School” program has assumed the critical aspects designed by the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion. This is in accordance of its aim where international organizations, the national governments and local communities were meant to launch the terms of the agreement to achieve health goals- “Health For All” as by 2000 and beyond (Kickbusch 2003). The prioritized strategies basically include advocacy, enabling and mediation. This implies that health dimension must be changed, individuals empowered for their health and collaboration of different government sectors to achieve health promotion. Such progress result to attainment of higher quality of life, inclusion of social, economic sectors, independent organizations including industry and media for social and developmental outcomes through health resource. If followed, adopted and supported, health promotion mechanisms as guided by the outline of Ottawa Charter will incorporate mechanisms such as: 3.1 Healthy Public Policy SunSmart has taken decisions, plans and actions to achieve health care goals within the school and the entire community. The program has defined their future vision, outlined the priorities and roles expected from different groups, build consensus and promoted information to schools. As a public health policy it has set the direction and resources to promote action for common good. VicHealth and Cancer Council Victoria ensure funding and programs run across Australia through Cancer Councils in every jurisdiction (Dobbinson, Hayman & Livingston 2006). The communities, representatives and teachers are promoted to work together. At grassroots level, the educators, care givers and facilitators including preschool members and family day care are given enough orientation and support materials to ensure SunSmart program efficiency. SunSmart membership is also promoted and open where updates are made continually. The focus of SunSmart is to improve the quality of life by assuming prevention strategies through enabled actions, health indicators and promoting health behaviours. The daily UV Alert found at sunsmart.com.au promote implementation of the policy as staff can find out the local sun protection. 3.2 Creation of supportive Environments Exposure to sun in a person’s first 10 years has been considered a major factor for future skin cancer (McKenzie, Neiger & Smeltzer 2005). The school has been designed by SunSmart “At School” campaign as an effective way to promote awareness, shape thought and impact on day-to-day actions and behaviours toward prevention of skin cancer. SunSmart ensure that all children and the school staff combines protection measures and at the same time get the right UV for vitamin D. IT encourages the children and staff to wear wrap-around sunglasses, close fitting clothes which meet Australian Standard. McKenzie, Neiger & Smeltzer (2005) further argues that, schools assume some of the most effective controls and role –modelling and through the campaign it has been expected that both the staff and children will wear sun protective hats, sunglasses, clothing during outdoor activities, seek shade and broad spectrum use of resistant sunscreen. The program then promote common application of preventive practices across a wide population as it brings the parents, teachers, policy makers and local governance structures together to achieve a common outcome. 3.3 Strengthening the community action As Stanton, Janda, Baade & Anderson (2004) demonstrates, one of the effective way in which Cancer Councils ensure that the policies are implemented is through the use of SunSmart UV Alert. The online service is accessible to most staff and local care givers which prepares them when the forecast for UV radiation are high. Daily weather forecasting including temperatures, the local UV levels and the need for or not for protection is ensured. This is accomplished through the use of widely available smartphones and website access. There are extensively developed campaign strategies for instance Play SunSmart which suggest experiences for children actions and an effective way to incorporate new learning concepts and developing framework. There are songs, online learning modules, video clips and suggested play experiences. One of the most effective is Slip! (Cardigan) Slop! Slap! (hat) Seek! (shade) Slide! (sunglasses) song. The skin song, brochures, play childhood service and posters are geared toward maximum protection. The school community participate through creation of their own SunSmart poster through the use of scene, text and uploading the images for others to learn. They also offer recommendations for creation and improving of effective shade. 3.4 Development of personal skills SunSmart school program has helped the student of all ages to shape their skills for sun protection through changing the community norms. The student capacity to health care is strengthened through proper information and practices which shape behaviours. SunSmart has promoted skills in health services among the staff and students. Cancer health education has promoted skills to promote healthy environment. Through its efforts, there are integrated school skills and knowledge for community health promotion. It has incorporated physical education through planting trees, measuring UV radiation, promotes preventive play skills and improved the counseling services through staff support (Dobbinson, Hayman & Livingston 2006). Teamwork, independent and corporate social responsibility skills have consequently developed in Australia through SunSmart school program. 3.5 Re-orientation of health care services for prevention and promotion of health As Sinclair & Foley (2009) argues, SunSmart has set it clear that a preventive health care can be far much important. The Cancer Councils have retreated from treatment and curative approaches to preventive ones. This is because the cost of prevention is more beneficial compared to treatment and curative costs. Significantly, the roles of health care have been designed through students’ participation in their good health practices. Immediate actions promoted include: Moderate UV light exposure, most acceptable for Vitamin D. Seeking doctor advices regularly and ensuring check-up Taking school time to encourage learning, educate and most importantly promoting individual’s working on their health habits and build it. Prevention plan promote extensive self-administered health and setting common levels leading to equality among the members. Personalized health-risk evaluation, promote seek for specific recommendations, actions and plans for reducing health risks. This has been done through health-education resources, coaching sessions and web-based alerts (McKenzie, Neiger & Smeltzer 2005). Participants receive prevention schedule and a list of recommended actions for different age, sex and risk factors reported. 4.0 Program design, behaviour improvements, health outcomes & environmental changes SunSmart program is well designed with all the features of a comprehensive program. There is a developed program structure involving jurisdictional Cancer Councils all over the state and territories in Australia. The staff resources are extensive as the existing teachers, care givers and public officials promote implementation of the policy. A collaborative role has brought together teams, industries, and media to socialize the program and thus effectively use it in accomplishing its goals. There are enough resources and funding through the Cancer Council Victoria and Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth). This has constantly supplied posters, brochures; play activities, websites updates and staff requirements. Communication management is efficient with constant updates, membership commitments and phone alerts. The risk of failure is also minimal as it is promoted at specific time –September to end April and when UV radiation is high (Stanton, Janda, Baade & Anderson 2004). There increased planting and use of shade through audit conducted regularly. Management has ensured availability of sufficient shelters and trees to provide shade for outdoor areas. Children have taken on loose fitting clothing during outdoor events to cover much skin. Clothing made of cool, dense woven fabric as recommended with elbow length sleeves tops and high collars, knee length and longer style skirts and shorts are widely worn in this period; collars shirts was 79% in 2005 and 87% in 2011, shirts, elbow length sleeves was 25% 2005 and 41% in 2011 (SunSmart 2013). Children wear hats regularly to protect the face, neck and ears. Sunglasses have been optional but it is still promoted for some individual students. The Victoria SunSmart Cancer Council has revealed 90% participation by Victorian primary schools in the program, 89% has written sun protection policy, 87% continually enforce their policy and 85% find it easy in maintaining it (SunSmart 2013). There are constant decrease of short-term skin signs of the effect of UV radiation. This is expected to reflect in later years as most students are ensuring maximum protection between ages 0-10. In conclusion, a successful health program needs to combine individual, organizational and national strategies to produce the benefits to the intended community and promote efficient and effective deployment of organization which is promoting it. Since maintenance of individual health is seen as hard in most cases, health promotion program effectively overcome the competing economic, social, political and cultural demands and reduce the risk of a threatening condition or a disease. References Dobbinson, S J, Hayman, J A & Livingston, P M 2006, Prevalence of health promotion policies in sports clubs in Victoria, Australia, Health Promotion International, 21(2), 121-129. Dobbinson, S., et al 2008, Prevalence and determinants of Australian adolescents' and adults' weekend sun protection and sunburn, summer 2003-2004. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 59(4), 602-614. Holick, M F 2008, Sunlight, UV-radiation, vitamin D and skin cancer: how much sunlight do we need?. In Sunlight, Vitamin D and Skin Cancer (pp. 1-15). Springer New York. Kickbusch, I 2003, The contribution of the World Health Organization to a new public health and health promotion, Journal Information, 93(3). McKenzie, J F, Neiger, B L & Smeltzer, J L 2005, Planning, implementing, and evaluating health promotion programs, Pearson/Benjamin Cummings. McKenzie, J F, Neiger, B L & Smeltzer, J L 2005, Planning, implementing, and evaluating health promotion programs. Pearson/Benjamin Cummings. Sinclair, C & Foley, P 2009, Skin cancer prevention in Australia, British Journal of Dermatology, 161(s3), 116-123. Stanton, W R, Janda, M, Baade, P D & Anderson, P 2004, Primary prevention of skin cancer: a review of sun protection in Australia and internationally, Health Promotion International, 19(3), 369-378. SunSmart 2012, Schools & early childhood, Cancer Council Victoria. SunSmart 2013, Victorian Primary Schools are the best in Australia at sun protection, viewed 6 April 2013, . Read More