THE SENATE

S.R. NO.

7

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


SENATE RESOLUTION

 

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, IN COOPERATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, TO ESTABLISH A SUN PROTECTION program FOR Hawaii's ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN.

 

 

WHEREAS, people of any race or ethnicity who are overexposed to sunlight without adequate protection are at risk of melanoma and other forms of skin cancer; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii's tropical climate, beautiful beaches, and numerous outdoor activities often result in both residents and visitors alike suffering from an increased risk for skin cancer due to prolonged exposure to sunlight; and

WHEREAS, skin cancer represents the most common of all cancers in the United States, accounting for thirty to forty per cent of all malignancies reported; and

WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that for the period from 1973 through 1991, the incidence of melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer, increased faster than any other form of cancer in the United States; and

WHEREAS, while melanoma may be lethal if not properly treated at an early stage, melanoma and other forms of skin cancer are easily prevented through reducing exposure to sunlight; and

WHEREAS, in addition to those who are at high risk for genetic or biological reasons and those who pursue high risk activities that are likely to lead to overexposure, it has been found that childhood exposure may increase a person's risk of skin cancer; and

WHEREAS, there is a need for the development of an innovative statewide campaign to reduce the incidence of skin cancer in Hawaii, beginning with elementary school children; and

WHEREAS, since childhood exposure is closely related to the development of melanoma later in life, this program should be designed to have long-lasting benefits and produce innovative teacher resources that have an integrated curriculum approach; and

WHEREAS, at least one private school in Hawaii -- Iolani School -- has already begun a sun protection program for its children, including the wearing of hats as an optional addition to the lower-school physical education uniform, which provide adequate shade, are low in cost, and foster school spirit as well as sun safety; and

WHEREAS, Iolani School's program, which also includes a discussion of sun safety in the classroom, is the type of program that could be implemented easily and economically statewide to protect Hawaii's children from excessive sun exposure and to help them to develop lifelong health habits to prevent skin cancer; and

WHEREAS, although the Department of Health has adopted a sun protection program to provide information and other public services to help prevent skin cancer and other skin problems related to overexposure to the sun, there is a need for the Department to adopt a program that is focused on skin cancer prevention for elementary school children; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature finds that the health, safety, and welfare of Hawaii's school children would be greatly enhanced if preventive measures are taken now, similar to Iolani School's sun safety program, to protect them from the hazards of overexposure to the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2003, that the Department of Health, in cooperation with the Department of Education, is requested to establish a sun protection program for Hawaii's elementary school children; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department's sun protection program is requested to include the development of a sun protection policy and an education component to instruct elementary school children and their parents about the dangers of overexposure to the sun and the risk of skin cancer; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the sun protection program is requested to:

(1) Ensure that all elementary school students are protected from skin damage caused by harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun;

(2) Provide resources for teachers that enable them to implement sun protection programs in their schools, and to provide in-service training and support to educators and parents in school communities on all issues relating to skin cancer prevention;

(3) Encourage school children to wear a hat during outdoor activities, not only during the academic year, but throughout the entire calendar year;

(4) Promote the use, by students and staff, of hats that shade the face, neck, and ears;

(5) Promote the use of shirts with collars and sleeves that are made from a closely woven fiber;

(6) Promote the application of SPF15+ or higher, broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen before all outdoor activities, as well as frequent reapplication; and

(7) Encourage schools to develop shaded play areas and feature a "no hat, play in the shade" policy, under which students could eat lunch inside or in the shade, line up in the shade, attend assemblies held inside, and have access to seats in the shade;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Health is requested to review innovative sun protection programs in other countries, such as Australia's "SunSmart" program, programs in other states, and programs that have already been implemented or are currently being developed in Hawaii's schools, such as Iolani School's sun safety program; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Health is requested to report its findings and recommendations, including any proposed implementing legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the convening of the Regular Session of 2004; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Health, the Superintendent of Education, the Chairperson of the Board of Education, the President of the Hawaii Skin Cancer Coalition, and the President of the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Sun Protection; Depts. of Health and Education; Establish Policy