Sun Protection Program Improves Hat Use at School But Not at Home

In a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute researchers found that with a sun safety program it is possible to get kids in school to consistently wear sun protection hats.  The study also showed that kids did not consistently wear the hats at home and wearing hats consistently didn't prevent new moles or freckles.

In the study fourth-graders at 22 schools were given 2 tightly woven wide brim hats to wear outside. One hat stayed at school and the other hat stayed at home. The schools that had the highest hat use had teachers and principals that encouraged the sun protection program and wore hats outside themselves.