The latest review from the Health Research Board (HRB) highlights the need for a combination of education and regulation interventions to reduce sunbed use.

Skin cancer is now Ireland’s most common cancer, with over 11,000 new cases annually, and sunbed use remains a significant preventable risk factor.

This evidence review on the effectiveness of public health interventions in reducing sunbed use and rates of skin cancer was conducted by the HRB at the request of the Department of Health (DoH). It aims to provide the DoH with robust evidence around the effectiveness of existing public health interventions in Ireland and internationally to inform decisions around revisions to existing regulations on sunbed use.

The review examined both educational and regulation interventions and was launched at a national stakeholder workshop focused on developing future policy on sunbed use in Ireland by Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Jennifer Murnane O’Connor TD.

Education interventions

The review found that programmes using social media, websites, pamphlets, and face-to-face education successfully convinced participants that sunbeds were dangerous. Young women and adolescents reported being less likely to want to use sunbeds after these interventions.

However, increased knowledge didn’t translate into reduced sunbed use. This demonstrates a critical gap between knowledge and action – knowing something is harmful isn’t enough to stop the behaviour, which is why a combination of education and regulation to effect change is required.

Regulation interventions

The study found that regulation interventions restricting access to sunbeds by requiring parental permission or by setting a lower age limit on sunbed use saw trends toward decreased teenage sunbed use, but the overall effect was not significant. While this review did not examine adherence to regulations, enhanced enforcement of existing sunbed regulations has the potential to improve compliance rates and decrease public exposure to harmful UV radiation.

Discussing the key outcomes of this report, Dr Tonya Moloney, Research Officer, HRB says,

‘The review shows that single interventions have limited impact in reducing sunbed use. The evidence indicates that education changes attitudes but not always behaviour, while regulation alone reduces access but doesn’t address underlying motivations.

The review shows that progressing Irish policy in this area would be justified if a dual approach is taken involving legislation addressing restrictions, as well as targeted education campaigns. Enforcement of restrictions is essential to establish reductions in sunbed use. This isn’t just about reducing statistics – it’s about preventing thousands of cancer diagnoses and saving lives.’

A similar public health multi-intervention approach has been taken with tobacco and alcohol which is delivering positive change for society.

View publication: The effectiveness of public health interventions in reducing sunbed use and rates of skin cancer

ENDS

For more information or interviews, please contact:

Suzanne Kenny, Communications Officer, Health Research Board
e skenny@hrb.ie m 085 850 0494

NOTES FOR EDITORS

The HRB Evidence Centre was formed in 2011 and conducts evidence syntheses to inform health policy and decision-making. Our evidence supports the formulation of recommendations, which is the role of policy-makers at the Department of Health.

Health Research Board (HRB) is Ireland’s lead funding agency supporting innovative health research and delivering data and evidence that improves people’s health and patient care. We are committed to putting people first, and ensuring data and evidence are used in policy and practice to overcome health challenges, advance health systems, and benefit society and economy.