Teacher perceptions of sun protection practices in the secondary school setting: Barriers, enablers and recommendations for future.

Objective: This qualitative study aimed to explore sun protection barriers and enablers in secondary schools in Victoria.

Methods: Five focus groups were conducted with nominated Health or Physical Education (PE) Coordinators (or other staff representatives) from schools in metropolitan and regional Victoria. Discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed and coded thematically.

Skin cancer has a large impact on our public hospitals but prevention programs continue to demonstrate strong economic credentials.

Objectives: While skin cancer is still the most common cancer in Australia, important information gaps remain. This paper addresses two gaps: i) the cost impact on public hospitals; and ii) an up-to-date assessment of economic credentials for prevention.

Methods: A prevalence-based cost approach was undertaken in public hospitals in Victoria.

Economic evaluation of future skin cancer prevention in Australia.

Public health programs to reduce the significant burden of skin cancer have been implemented in Australia and around the world. The economic rationale for prevention needs to be kept up-to-date as relevant disease patterns, risk factors and expenditure patterns change through time. The aim of this study was to update and extend the economic credentials for skin cancer prevention in Australia.

Are the current Australian sun exposure guidelines effective in maintaining adequate levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D?

An adequate vitamin D status, as measured by serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration, is important in humans for maintenance of healthy bones and muscle function. Serum 25(OH)D concentration was assessed in participants from Melbourne, Australia (37.81S, 144.

Organizational change--key to capacity building and effective health promotion.

Contemporary health promotion is now a well-defined discipline with a strong (albeit diverse) theoretical base, proven technologies (based on program planning) for addressing complex social problems, processes to guide practice and a body of evidence of efficacy and increasingly, effectiveness. Health promotion has evolved principally within the health sector where it is frequently considered optional rather than core business. To maximize effectiveness, quality health promotion technologies and practices need to be adopted as core business by the health sector and by organizations in other sectors.