Indoor Tanning is Out™ Online Public Education Tool Kit
American Academy of Dermatology in Cooperation with the National Panhellenic Conference
Young women and tanning beds are a potentially deadly combination.
Indoor tanning before the age of 35 has been associated with a significant increase in the risk of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Yet, more than one million Americans — 70 percent of which are girls and women, primarily 16 to 29 years old -- visit a tanning salon on an average day.
Ultraviolet (UV) exposure is the most preventable risk factor for all skin cancers, including melanoma. Reduce your risk by being sun smart. And, reduce your friends' risk by encouraging them to protect their skin.
The American Academy of Dermatology (Academy) is committed to educating young women about the dangers of UV exposure through the Indoor Tanning is Out™ Online Public Education Tool Kit. Please consider using the following program ideas and resources as ways for your sorority to spread the message that indoor tanning is not as safe as people think.
With Your Chapter
- Ask your sorority members to sign the Indoor Tanning is Out™ Pledge that they will not tan.
- Play the Academy's Indoor Tanning is Out™60-second PSA at a chapter meeting.
- Use this sample letter to invite a local dermatologist to speak to your members about the dangers of using tanning beds and the importance of sun safety.
- Work with your international organization to place an article on sun safety in your alumnae publication.
On Your Campus
- Download and print Indoor Tanning is Out™ Posters and place them around your campus.
- Work with your student health center or wellness educator on skin cancer awareness programs.
- Create a contest for the sorority or fraternity that obtains the most signatures on an Indoor Tanning is Out™ Pledge.
- Work with a local dermatologist to organize and promote a skin cancer screening for your campus.
- Write and submit a letter to the editor of your university newspaper about the dangers of indoor tanning and sun safety.
- Utilize the Academy's background information to work with your campus newspaper to develop a story on the dangers of indoor tanning.
For Your Community
- Join with a local dermatologist to speak to junior high/middle school and high school students about the dangers of indoor tanning. Schedule your presentation before major social events, such as prom.
- Work with local fitness centers on skin cancer awareness programs.
Your Ideas
Your creativity also will generate other ideas you can use to spread the message. Please share them with Allison Sit with the Academy at (847) 240-1746 or asit@aad.org so she can add them to the tool kit. When posting your ideas, we will give credit to the sorority and its members who originated the activity. Please also contact Allison if you have any questions or need further assistance.