| Background
Who promotes SunSmart in New Zealand?
The Skin Cancer Control Steering Committee Framework 2005-2008
Members of the Skin Cancer Control Steering Committee
What do they hope to achieve?
Where does the funding come from?
How is SunSmart promoted?
Why is SunSmart so important? |
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Background
Over the previous two decades sun safety in New Zealand has been promoted by a variety of health organisations in a variety of ways.
SunSmart, as a sun-related behaviour message, was developed by the Anti-Cancer Council of Victoria, Australia, in the mid 1980's.
In November 1993 it was launched in New Zealand.
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Who Promotes SunSmart in New Zealand?
The promotion of sun safety in New Zealand is mainly by the Health Sponsorship Council, the Cancer Society of New Zealand, and some Public Health Units.
SunSmart is the national brand for sun safety. Though it is trademarked to the Health Sponsorship Council it may be used by all sun safety promoters.
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The Skin Cancer Control Steering Committee Framework 2005-2008
The Skin Cancer Control Steering Committee is a group of key stakeholders who meet every three years with a view to reflecting on the previous three years and developing and identifying strategic direction for the next three years. They last met in August 2004 and the following framework is the result of that meeting.
This framework is consistent with the National Cancer Control Strategy and is intended to encourage co-ordination in New Zealand work on skin cancer control, thereby contributing to best outcomes. As such it is intended to be a guide for action rather than a blue print.
View Framework document (PDF - 12Kb)
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Members of the Skin Cancer Control Steering Committee who met in 2004
- Cancer Society of NZ - Carolyn Watts, Judith Galtry, Sue Stuart, Laura Lambie, Betsy Marshall, Neil Chave, Cath Chittenden
- Health Sponsorship Council - Iain Potter, Wendy Billingsley, Kiri Milne, Susie Greene
- Social and Behavioural Research in Cancer Group, University of Otago - Tony Reeder, (Apologies from Rob McGee)
- NIWA - Richard McKenzie
- Victoria University School of Architecture and Design - Christina McKay
- Ministry of Health - Peter Kennerley, Marjan van Waardenderg
- Waikato District Health Board, Hon Assoc Professor with Auckland Medical School- Marius Rademaker
- Sunnybrae Family Health Care - Chris Boberg
Back to top What Do They Hope to Achieve?
The aims of SunSmart promotion are to increase sun safety behaviours among New Zealanders, particularly those with fair skin, and therefore reducing skin cancer incidence and morbidity.
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Where Does the Funding Come From?
SunSmart has two main sources of funding. The Government funds the work of the Health Sponsorship Council and Public Health Units. The Cancer Society's funds are from donations and bequests.
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How is SunSmart Promoted?
The organisations involved in promoting SunSmart approach it in different ways. However, components include:
- Research
- Multi-media Communications Campaigns
- Sponsorships and key relationships eg. with MetService
- Community activities eg. SunSmart School Programmes
Back to top Why Is SunSmart So Important?
Being SunSmart in New Zealand is crucial. The unique environment makes the population particularly vulnerable to damaging ultraviolet rays. There are the clear skies and the closeness to the sun. Add to these the outdoor lifestyle of Kiwis, and some very fair skins, and you have facts like these:
- Skin cancer is the commonest cancer in this country.
- New Zealand has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world.
- There are nearly 50,000 new skin cancers a year, including 1800 new cases of melanoma.
- There are over 300 deaths from skin cancer annually.
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