Star Jones and The Wyoming Public Health Department
Wyoming Public Media recently reported an interesting and factual notion stating:
Wyoming Department of Health officials say Wyoming’s relatively high elevation could put people here more at risk for skin cancer.
“The thought process may be something closer to ‘Oh, I’m just going to go for a 30-minute run,’” said Morgan Powell with Wyoming Integrated Cancer Services. “But what they don’t realize is that the sun can damage our skin in as little as 15 minutes at our altitude.”
Powell said because of Wyoming’s higher elevation, people in the state receive more damaging UV rays from the sun than in lower elevation states like Florida. Wyoming’s lack of air pollution, which filters UV rays, also contributes the impact of those rays in the state.
On top of this, the Blue Cross Blue Shield just released a report showcasing the results of a four-year study that breaks down the percentage of skin cancer incidences amongst each state’s general population. Wyoming, as it turns out, sits at 3.9%. It’s also reported that an overall rise in the rates of melanoma diagnoses, thus bringing us to an exciting development in an attempt to combat these growing numbers… That proactive measure is in the form of the placement of free sunscreen dispensers throughout state parks, historic sites, and trails around the state. To date, 26 dispensers have been installed and 15 more are on order and prepped for delivery.
This all came to fruition through our work with IMPACT’s Practice Safe Skin program and the efforts of Wyoming Public Health Department’s Star Jones who has been the lead facilitator of the project and dispersing the dispensers to applicable site locations. Read on to get more insight from Ms. Jones (the state’s Outreach and Education Coordinator for the Wyoming Cancer Program – Public Health Division) regarding the project and how it has all unfolded thus far.
How’d you learn about IMPACT Melanoma? Our Program was looking for sunscreen dispensers and saw an article that they had an open grant for sunscreen dispensers. We forwarded the information to one of our contractors who had previously worked in her community to offer sunscreen at public pools.
What led you to engage with Laurie Seavey (and/or IMPACT Melanoma)? Laurie contacted our program to learn more about what we were working on related to sun-safety and sunscreen distribution across the state.
Tell us about your project? What was the scope? What were your goals? The Wyoming Cancer Program partnered with Wyoming State Parks to offer sunscreen at state parks, historic sites, and trails. Initially, the Program had wanted to pilot the project at just a few places across the state, but the interest from state parks was so high that it is now available at 19 locations across the state totaling 26 dispensers, with 15 additional dispensers being delivered soon. Through this partnership, we hope to increase sunscreen utilization and reapplication by the estimated 4 million annual visitors to Wyoming state parks.
What was the process like for you with regard to engaging with IMPACT Melanoma and figuring out the logistics of whether or not this was even possible? The process was relatively simple. We discussed with IMPACT melanoma what they could offer and discuss possibilities with our partners that would fit within our budget.
How many dispensers did you purchase/install? 26 dispensers have been installed at 19 state parks, historic sites, and trails. 15 more dispensers are ordered.
Where did you install dispensers?
- Bear River State Park Playground
- Boysen State Park- Touch Creek Trail Head
- Boysen State Park- Brannon Boat Ramp
- Buffalo Bill State Park- Northshore campground
- Buffalo Bill State Park- Northfork campground
- Curt Gowdy State Park- Visitor Center
- Curt Gowdy State Park- Aspen G Trailhead
- Edness K. Wilkins State Park
- Fort Bridger State Historic Site- Picnic Shelter
- Fort Fetterman State Historic Site- Museum
- Fort Phil Kearny State Historic Site
- Glendo State Park x 4
- Guernsey State Park x 3
- Hot Springs State Park
- Keyhole State Park-Swim Beach
- Medicine Lodge State Archaeological Site
- Seminoe State Park
- Sinks Canyon State Park x2
- South Pass City- Flood & Hindle Trailhead
- Trail End State Historic Site
- Wyoming Territorial Prison- Front Entrance
- Wyoming Trails Program- Future dispensers x 3
What good do you hope comes of them? We hope that the annual estimated 4 million visitors will utilize the sunscreen while visiting the state parks.
I understand there’s been a frenzy of interest following the “first wave” of dispensers. Tell us about that a bit. When the first batch of dispensers were delivered to the Wyoming State Parks staff meeting, they were told where the dispensers were intended for. Many parks wanted more dispensers than they had been assigned, some parks that had not been assigned a dispenser wanted one. Overall, they decided they needed at least 12 additional dispensers and even had sponsors in mind to approach to purchase the extra dispensers.
What is your own personal philosophy in regard to sun safety? Sun-safety and the use of sunscreen should be a habit and the norm for people in Wyoming. The increased risk of skin cancer in our state and the availability of outdoor activities make sun-safety a must.
What sort of impact does this project leave on your community? We hope the community will recognize the need for consistent sunscreen use during outdoor activities. The true impact will be determined at the end of the summer when we can evaluate how much sunscreen was utilized by park visitors.
How have they been received and what are next steps in assuring that they are properly utilized and taken advantage of? We have partnered with the state parks to promote the project through social media and at outdoor events across the state. Many of the dispensers also have sponsors to sustain the project, but also to increase community engagement and knowledge of the project.
Do you know where your state stands with regard to the national epidemic of rising skin cancer diagnoses? Read the report here. Take a step forward in an effort to protect your state’s (or, on a more micro-managed town/community level) and start a dialogue with IMPACT Melanoma today. We take great pride in facilitating the acquisition of remedial tools and educational materials to spread awareness and stop the “spread” of this terrible, debilitating disease. Together we can make a great IMPACT. Remember, when it comes to skin cancer and the exposure of resident’s skin to the sun’s harmful, penetrative UV rays, SPF is your BFF!
