1. Sun Protection Annie, Lizzie, Renee

2. Sun light contains ultraviolet radiation. While some exposure to the sun is beneficial for the production of vitamin D, excessive exposure to the sun can lead to several forms of skin cancer, eye disease and premature ageing. However prevention such as wearing suitable clothing, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and shade are all ways to reduce your exposure to and risks of ultraviolet rays.

3. What is societies perception of the adolescent health issue studied Society’s Perceptions of sun protection is that: That you can only get skin cancer if you get burnt That you have to reapply sun screen every four hours Wear protective clothing Don’t sun bake Always wear sunscreen Believe that fair people get skin cancer Skin cancer only affects older people who have spent years in the sun People think that treating it is simple Sunscreen when used properly is enough to protect you from the sun Small amounts of sun without protection is healthy

4. Identify and explain the prevalence of and trends in the health behaviours of young people 24.7% of teenagers aged between 12 and 17 usually or always wore hat between the hours of 11am and 3pm, and 21.8% wore clothes covering most of their bodies. Of these statistics, males were significantly more likely than females and 12-15 year olds were more likely than 16-17 year olds. 43.7% of teenagers usually or always wore maximum protection sunscreen and 34% wore sunglasses. Females were considerably more likely than males, and 16-17 year olds were more likely than 12-15 year olds. Overall 75.3% of teenagers were sunburnt at least once during the summer This data suggests that teenagers are taking minimal precautions in the area of sun protection and not considering the consequences of their actions.

5. Predict how risk decreases or increases when multiple factors interact for the studied health issue Risk Increases: Not wearing a hat Not Sunscreen And no protective clothing Is increasing the risk of getting skin cancer and sun related problems Going out in the sun on the danger period 12:00am to 3:00pm Risk Decreases Wearing a hat Sunscreen And protective clothing Decreases the risk of getting cancer and sun related problems

6. Identify protective and risk behaviours for the health issue studied 17.4 %24.7%43.2 %21.8 %34.0 %28.8 % Usually or always spend most time inside. Always wears a hat. Usually or always apply maximum protection sunscreen. Usually or always dress in protective clothing. Usually or always wear sunglasses. Usually or always stay mainly in the shade. Protective: There a many effective and various ways people can prevent the risks associated with ultraviolet rays. By avoiding exposure to the sun and other sources of ultraviolet rays such as sunlamps, solariums and sun beds as well as protecting yourself by wearing protective clothing, sunglasses, hat and 30 + sunscreen, can significantly reduce side effects associated with the sun. In 2008, among students aged 12-17 years, sun protection behaviors between 11.00 am and 3.00pm on sunny days last summer were:

7. Risks: The risk behaviors associated with ultraviolet rays can have very negative and lasting effects if you chose to not take precautions such as the ones listed above. In 2001, among students aged 12-17, people who did not engage in sun protection between 11.00am and 3.00pm on sunny days last summer were: 82.4 %75.3 %56.8 %78.2 %66 %71.2 % Usually or always spend most time outside. Usually or always do not wear a hat. Usually or always do not apply maximum protection sunscreen or any sunscreen. Usually or always do not dress in protective clothing. Usually or always do not wear sunglasses. Usually or always do not stay mainly in the shade.

8. Challenge the accuracy of societal perceptions of the health behaviours of young people based on the current research Current research shows that some of teenagers’ perceptions of sun protection are incorrect. The behaviors present in 12-17 year olds suggest that most teenagers believe that skin cancer will not affect them. This is evident in the lack of sun safe practices being applied by teenagers, for example wearing clothing covering most of the body and a hat.