1. Exposure and Health Effects of UV Radiation Among Rutgers Student Athletes
By: Sylvia Jung
New Jersey Safe Schools Program
Purpose Results Demographics
• 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
60%
45%
30%
15%
Dark brown
Blue
Brown
Green
Hazel
Other
Blond
• 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
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Acknowledgment
Methods
Evaluation
45%
30%
15%
0%
Means of protection used when
exposed to UV radiation
Always Usually Sometimes Rarely Never
With sunscreen Protective clothing
Hat/ visors/ eyewear
0%
Pale white
White
White to light
Moderate brown
Very dark brown
Dirty Blond
Light brown
Red/ blond
Red/ aubum
Dark brown
Black
Risk Factors (n=53)
Color of untanned skin Natural eye color
Natural hair color
Significance