Exposure and Health Effects of UV Radiation Among Rutgers Student Athletes By: Sylvia Jung

New Jersey Safe Schools Program

•  Examine indoor and outdoor tanning prevalence and practices of ultraviolet (UV) radiation

•  Seek potential risk factors for skin cancer and adverse health effects among Rutgers University student-athletes who practice/ play outdoors

•  Total number of participants: 50- 52 •  Varies on questions

•  Female: 28 (53%) & Male: 47% (47%) •  70% of the population were White/ Caucasian

•  Indoor tanning is a major risk factor for melanoma and non melanoma skin cancer

According to the survey: •  16% of student athletes reported their family

(one or more members) has a record of skin cancer

•  No students were diagnosed with skin cancer •  33% of student athletes stated they used tanning

devices to achieve a tan •  72% of student athletes stated how tanning is not

important to them •  Majority of students athletes were aware how

burning in the sun to get a tan is harmful to the body

•  23% of student athletes prefer to use sun beds when tanning indoors

•  Only 14% of student athletes use indoor tanning beds because they enjoy a tanned appearance

•  60% of student athletes tan outdoors to achieve a tan

•  When exposed to sun, 2% of student athletes always burn while 10% of student athletes never burn

•  When outdoors for more than 30 minutes, 34% of student athletes never wear sunscreen while 6% of student athletes always wear sunscreen

•  The study may be evaluated through peer review publication and an APHA 2015 presentation.

•  Thank you Dr. Derek Shendell, D.Env. MPH, School of Public Health, and Rutgers Athletic Department for making this project a success

Create Literature Review

Finalize Study

Conduct Research

Analyze Data

Prepare Report/ Present

Acknowledgment

Demographics Results Purpose

Methods

Evaluation

0%

15%

30%

45%

Always Usually Sometimes Rarely Never

Means of protection used when exposed to UV radiation

With sunscreen Protective clothing Hat/ visors/ eyewear

0%

15%

30%

45%

60%

Pale

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Whi

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Whi

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oder

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brow

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ark

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Blu

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row

n G

reen

H

azel

O

ther

B

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D

irty

Blo

nd

Ligh

t bro

wn

R

ed/ b

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R

ed/ a

ubum

D

ark

brow

n

Bla

ck

Risk Factors (n=53)

Color of untanned skin Natural eye color Natural hair color

Significance