Seminar/Event Detail2011-12 Public Health OPHS Colloquium Series: Good Sun, Bad Sun: Measurement of Sun Safety & Vitamin DDate/Time: 09 February 2012, 12:00pm - 1:00pm Description: Sun exposure, a cause of skin damage and skin cancer, is also the primary source of vitamin D which has been implicated as a protective factor for bone health, colorectal, breast, ovarian, and prostate cancers, and autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis. From the skin cancer prevention field the emphasis has been on minimizing sun exposure whereas some vitamin D proponents advocate sun exposure. While sun safety and vitamin D researchers consider many of the same behaviors, environmental factors, and personal characteristics, they use different approaches to measuring the key behaviors and their associated risks and benefits. To develop a coherent public health message on sun exposure, scientists must determine what amount of sun exposure would be safe and beneficial considering the complexity of behavior, diet, environment, and physical characteristics. A standard measure of sun exposure that detects high risk, optimal exposure, and low risk levels would help advance the research needed to address this controversial topic. Dr.Steffen is an Assistant Specialist in the Cancer Prevention and Control Program at the UH Cancer Center. Since joining the Cancer Center in 2002, she has worked on skin cancer prevention trials and sun protection measurement with Karen Glanz, PhD, MPH and David O’Riordan, PhD and is an author/coauthor on seven articles related to sun safety and/or measurement.During her post-doctoral fellowship (2005-2007) she studied the sun safety/vitamin D controversy and will present findings from her measurement pilot study. This event was broadcast live and recorded using Blackboard Collaborate. Technical support was provided by the RMATRIX Biomedical Informatics Key Function. |
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