Assessing population-wide behaviour change: concordance of 10-year trends in self-reported and observed sun protection.

Objectives: Increases in socially desirable responses in self-reports might occur in the context of ongoing public education. We examine concordance of trends in two long-term studies monitoring population impact for SunSmart.

Methods: One study employed telephone interviews of Melbourne residents; the other entailed observations at public recreation venues across Melbourne.

Weekend sun protection and sunburn in Australia trends (1987-2002) and association with SunSmart television advertising.

Background: The Australian state of Victoria has run a population-based skin cancer prevention program called SunSmart since 1988, incorporating substantial public education efforts and environmental change strategies. Trends over 15 years in behavioral risk factors for skin cancer were examined in a population exposed to the SunSmart program. Whether outcomes were associated with extent of SunSmart television advertising was then assessed.