The National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention recently presented Jacksonville University with the Platinum Level Skin Smart Campus Award. This award recognizes JU’s commitment to ensuring the well-being of the campus community by pledging to keep indoor tanning devices out of all affiliated buildings and promoting skin cancer prevention and sun safety education.
The Indoor Tan-Free Skin Smart Campus Initiative was developed in response to the 2014 U.S. Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Prevent Skin Cancer which concluded that there is a strong association between increased risk of skin cancer and indoor tanning use. Numerous studies have found that skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States, and melanoma—the deadliest form of skin cancer—is one of the most common cancers diagnosed among young adults. According to The International Agency for Research on Cancer Working Group, the use of indoor tanning facilities before age 35 increases the risk for melanoma by 75%.
“We are thrilled to have Jacksonville University declared as a Skin Smart Campus,” said Dr. Mark Tillman, Dean of the Brooks Rehabilitation College of Healthcare Sciences. “As an institution, we are invested in all aspects of health as pertaining to our students, faculty, and staff and preventing skin cancer in a region that experiences over 220 days of sunshine per year is an excellent example of our dedication. We are especially grateful to Dr. Carena Winters for driving this important initiative.
Dr. Winters, an Associate Professor of Exercise Science, said this initiative provides preventive measures that encourage students and other campus community members to optimize self-care while enjoying outdoor activities on our beautiful campus.
The JU Student Health Center will provide comprehensive educational programming on campus that promotes safe sun behaviors.
“With the significant rise in skin cancer amount young adults it is imperative that we heighten awareness on our campus around sun-protective measures and sustainable life-long healthy behaviors that can help protect against the development of a highly preventable cancer,” said Dr. Elaine Borne, the Executive Director of the JU Student Health Center.
The National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention awards two sunscreen dispensers and a year’s worth of sunscreen as part of the platinum award. The sunscreen is 100% all-natural, eco-friendly and reef safe.
To learn more about the initiative and facts about skin care prevention, visit ju.edu/healthcenter/skin-smart.php, and follow the National Council for Skin Cancer Prevention on Facebook at @natlcouncilskincancerprevention, and Instagram or Twitter at @skincancerprev.
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