Fine forecasts: encouraging the media to include ultraviolet radiation information in summertime weather forecasts

Melanoma and skin cancer are largely attributable to over-exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR). Reports of UVR levels within media weather forecasts appear to be well received by the public and have good potential to communicate the need for appropriate sun protection to a broad audience. T...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Health education research Vol. 19; no. 6; p. 677
Main Authors: Richards, R, Reeder, A I, Bulliard, J-L
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: England 01.12.2004
Subjects:
Female
Forecasting
Health Education
Humans
Male
Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced - prevention & control
New Zealand
Newspapers as Topic
Radio
Risk Factors
Seasons
Sunburn - prevention & control
Sunscreening Agents - therapeutic use
Television
Ultraviolet Rays - adverse effects
Weather
New Zealand
ISSN:0268-1153
Online Access:Get more information
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Melanoma and skin cancer are largely attributable to over-exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR). Reports of UVR levels within media weather forecasts appear to be well received by the public and have good potential to communicate the need for appropriate sun protection to a broad audience. This study describes provision of UVR messages by New Zealand newspapers, radio and TV stations over a 4-year period, and examines the impact of an intervention which aimed to address media concerns about the financial costs of accessing UVR information for broadcast. Newspaper and radio presentation of UVR information increased immediately after these costs were removed; however, among radio stations it dropped in subsequent years. Among those media that were presenting UVR, this information was broadcast throughout the summer period and repeated throughout the day. Furthermore, most reports included concomitant, behavioral sun protection messages. At the final assessment (summer 2001/02), 66% of radio stations, both TV channels and 48% of newspapers reported UVR information in summertime weather reports. Efforts to further increase UVR presentation will need to address media concerns about time constraints on weather forecasts and media perceptions of poor audience demand or understanding of some UVR messages.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-2
content type line 23
ISSN:0268-1153
DOI:10.1093/her/cyg085