Post Date: 1402012800
Status: archived
Be a Sun Hero! Shield your children from the sun: a pilot program
This summer, Lake Forest Pediatric Associates has teamed up with the Pediatric Sun Protection Foundation (http://www.pediatricspf.org/about/) and researchers at the Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine to launch a ground breaking pilot program. The program is designed to help increase awareness of the benefits of wearing sun protective clothing at an early age. We are asking parents and caregivers of children between the ages of 2-6 years, to complete a short survey about sun protection. Each child will be given a voucher which can be redeemed for a free sun protective swim shirt (sun shield) at the web-store of the Pediatric Sun Protection Foundation http://sunhero.org/. Shipping is about $3.
Dr. June Robinson, Research Professor of Dermatology at the Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, and her team will be responsible for monitoring the program from June 1, 2014 to August 31, 2014.
Why did we launch the pilot program?
This pilot has been launched to prevent future skin cancer by changing behavior in the way our children protect themselves from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. Childhood exposure to high levels of sunlight is a strong determinant of melanoma risk now and as adults. Your Pediatricians, Nurse Practitioners and nurses are an important part of your family’s team providing important sun protection information.
While regular sunscreen use is encouraged and prevents melanoma development in adults as well as moles in children, reliance on sunscreen as the only form of sun protection is problematic. Children balk at having lotions applied and sprays may be applied too thinly. The cost of sunscreen, especially with daily use and re-application, can be expensive and unmanageable for families. Unlike T-shirts, sun shields provide protection when wet and a child can put it on themselves providing consistent protection. Help safely shield your child from the sun!
Lake Forest Pediatric Associates was voted “best pediatrician” in the 2014 Readers’ Choice Top Picks sponsored by the Daily Herald. Adults and teens submitted ballots to identify “top picks” in a wide range of categories, including health care. Lake Forest Pediatrics is proud to join three other practices as a top vote getter in the pediatrics category.