As summer gets closer, the dangers of UV exposure become greater. And researchers at Anschutz are trying to stop that problem early in its development.
Lori Crane, chair of the department of community and behavioral health, is heading a research team to learn more about young people's attitudes toward tanning. The team will eventually recruit students at the Denver School of the Arts to produce short videos on the topic.
The research received a $300,000 Challenge Grant in September. It will take place in three stages: interviews with 10- to 14-year-olds, a survey at the art school, and the production of the videos.
"Those kids are going to be the creative geniuses, and they'll produce 30- to 60-second videos," Crane said.
Why target children as young as 10?
"There's this transformation that takes place," Crane said. "As kids separate themselves from their parents and start making their own decisions, they start going tanning."
Eventually, Crane said she hopes the program will expand to help the videos' effectiveness.
"The videos alone probably won't have a major effect," she said. "They probably have to be combined with other components to make a comprehensive program."
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