Changing Climate

1. Introduction

1.1 Aim

The aim of this assignment is to test whether Sunshine Coast residents are aware of sun exposure and whether they are taking action to reduce their risk when they are outside.

1.2 Scope

The scope of this report is confined to people from the ages of 18 who currently reside on the Sunshine Coast.

1.3 Definition & Terms

A Sunshine Coast resident can be defined as a person who has his main residence on the Sunshine Coast (i.e. Noosa to Caloundra). The danger of sun exposure can be defined as all the risk which can occur during exposure to the sun such as skin cancer, premature aging, sunburn, eye damage and wrinkled skin.

1.4 Literature Review

Many surveys have found that awareness about sun exposure is not taken seriously. According to a survey conducted in the Sunshine Coast by Suncorp, 68% of Sunshine Coast residents still think a tan looks healthy. Interestingly, 68% of them are worried about developing skin cancers, but 29% admit they only apply sunscreen when they start to burn (Muir 2010). More dramatically, two-thirds of Queenslanders reported at least one episode of sunburn the past 12 months and one in 10 Queenslanders reported at least one episode of severe sunburn in the past 12 months (Rogers, et al. 2009)

The education of the risk of sun exposure is vastly supported by state governments and many associations. A project called ‘Skin Cancer and Teenagers’ initiated by a committee from the Health and Education sectors, the state Cancer organisation and a research group was developed in response to an imminent need to increase skin protection, especially in Queensland. This intervention emerged from concerns about the need to educate young people about over-exposure to the sun.

However, not enough actions are taken to reduce the risk of sun exposure. Studies have investigated the primary prevention activities of population groups in Australia. It appears that children use inadequate levels of sun protection due to...