Cost and lifesaving benefits of SunWise School Program reported

Dermatology Nursing, August, 2008 by Daniel B. Burfeind

The SunWise School Program is a school-based sun safety education program that was developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and aims to teach children how to protect themselves from overexposure to the sun. Researchers assessed the health benefits of the SunWise School Program and used economic analysis to determine the program's net benefits and cost-effectiveness. Results were reported in Pediatrics, 121(5), 1074-1084.

Standard cost/benefit and cost-effectiveness analysis methods were used. Intervention costs were measured as program costs estimated to be incurred by the U.S. government, which funds SunWise, using three funding scenarios. Health outcomes were measured as skin cancer cases and premature mortalities averted and quality-adjusted life-years saved. These health outcomes were modeled using an effectiveness evaluation of SunWise based on pretest and posttest surveys administered to students who participated in the program and the Environmental Protection Agency's peer-reviewed Atmospheric and Health Effects Framework model. Costs averted were measured as direct medical costs and costs of productivity losses averted as a result of SunWise. Net benefits were measured as the difference between costs averted and program costs.

Economic analysis indicated that if the SunWise School Program continues through 2015 at current funding levels, then it should avert more than 50 premature deaths, nearly 11,000 skin cancer cases, and 960 quality-adjusted life-years (undiscounted) among its participants. For every dollar invested in SunWise, between approximately $2 and $4 in medical care costs and productivity losses are saved, depending on the funding scenario.

Researcher Jessica W. Kyle, BA, and colleagues determined that, from a cost/benefit and cost-effectiveness perspective, it is worthwhile to educate children about sun safety, small to modest behavioral impacts may result in significant reductions in skin cancer incidence and mortality.

Daniel B. Burfeind, RN, DNC, is a Staff Nurse, Mohs Department, Panzer Dermatology, Neward, DE; and a Dermatology Nursing Editorial Board Member.