This summer, Wells is one of only two sites in Maine taking part in an important sun protection study. IMPACT Melanoma and the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health are conducting this Centers for Disease Control (CDC) funded study of teen use of free sunscreen from free community sunscreen dispensers at 2 Maine beaches and 6 neighborhoods in Boston and Cambridge.
“As many of us look forward to a summer of fun, be it on the beach, on a boat, on a golf course, in the yard, or on a playground, it can be easy to overlook the application of sunscreen,” says Wells Town Manager, Michael Pardue.
As part of the research, students will survey teenagers at the beach about sun protection practices and their choice to use the free sunscreen dispenser or not. IMPACT Melanoma will provide an education booth/table near the dispenser to provide education and prevention resources.
“The Town of Wells, partnering with IMPACT Melanoma and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, is working to remind our residents and visitors on the importance of applying sunscreen before partaking in outdoor summer fun,” says Pardue. “Applying sunscreen as a skin protectant can aid in reducing the risk of skin cancer, reducing the signs of aging, and preventing skin discoloration. With all those benefits, why not give sunscreen a try?”
The free dispensers will be available in Wells from July 29th until August 2nd, and can be found by the lifeguard stand near the jetty. People of all ages are welcome to use the dispenser and a special effort will be made to encourage use by teens with teen-designed signage and messages atop the dispensers.
“The Wells community is so proud to be given this opportunity to show our youth the value of protecting yourself from the harmful effects of the sun on our skin,” states Wells Fire Chief, Mark Dupuis. “This should enlighten the next generation about the damage the sun can cause before they get older and give them a chance to correct any possible habits that they might establish without this program,” says Dupuis.
Please feel free to contact Alan Geller, the study director, with any questions. He can be reached at ageller@hsph.harvard.edu.
