Go Sun Smart Georgia: Evaluating an evidence-based occupational sun safety program for outdoor workers
Abstract
Background: African American and Hispanic workers face unique skin cancer risks from UV exposure and are underrepresented in occupational sun safety research. We adapted and tested an existing evidence-based occupational sun safety program—Go Sun Smart Georgia (GSSG)— for African American and Hispanic outdoor workers at local governments in southwest and east Georgia.
Methods: We enrolled 7 municipal and county employers to participate in the GSSG evaluation. Employers were randomly assigned to immediate intervention or delayed intervention groups within three strata based on government type (municipal/county) and size (≥100/employees). The intervention included training of internal coaches; a brief audit of employers’ sun safety practices and policy interests; drafting of sun safety policies for possible adoption; a comprehensive employee training video; and access to a resource website (e.g., training, sample policies, print materials, videos). Immediate intervention sites received the intervention over a four-month period between June and October 2024. Primary outcome data on sun safety behaviors were collected via surveys from 10-30 outdoor workers per employer, administered immediately following the intervention. Secondary outcomes included worksite sun safety policy adoption/modification, improvement/development of sun safety education programming, and sun safety prevention actions. These secondary outcomes were measured via pre-post surveys of managers and post surveys of outdoor workers. Program implementation outcomes included feasibility, acceptability, fidelity, and reach.
Anticipated findings/implications: Two county governments, 3 large municipalities, and 2 small municipalities in southwest and east Georgia participated in the evaluation. This presentation will share implementation and effectiveness outcomes from the pre-post manager surveys, post-only outdoor worker surveys, and key informant interviews. Systematic adaptation of effective interventions for underserved populations is important for increasing the reach and impact of evidence-based sun safety interventions and has potential to address race-based disparities in cancer prevention.
Keywords
sun safety, heat illness protection, outdoor workers, evaluation, skin cancer, racial/ethnic minoritized groups
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Go Sun Smart Georgia: Evaluating an evidence-based occupational sun safety program for outdoor workers
Background: African American and Hispanic workers face unique skin cancer risks from UV exposure and are underrepresented in occupational sun safety research. We adapted and tested an existing evidence-based occupational sun safety program—Go Sun Smart Georgia (GSSG)— for African American and Hispanic outdoor workers at local governments in southwest and east Georgia.
Methods: We enrolled 7 municipal and county employers to participate in the GSSG evaluation. Employers were randomly assigned to immediate intervention or delayed intervention groups within three strata based on government type (municipal/county) and size (≥100/employees). The intervention included training of internal coaches; a brief audit of employers’ sun safety practices and policy interests; drafting of sun safety policies for possible adoption; a comprehensive employee training video; and access to a resource website (e.g., training, sample policies, print materials, videos). Immediate intervention sites received the intervention over a four-month period between June and October 2024. Primary outcome data on sun safety behaviors were collected via surveys from 10-30 outdoor workers per employer, administered immediately following the intervention. Secondary outcomes included worksite sun safety policy adoption/modification, improvement/development of sun safety education programming, and sun safety prevention actions. These secondary outcomes were measured via pre-post surveys of managers and post surveys of outdoor workers. Program implementation outcomes included feasibility, acceptability, fidelity, and reach.
Anticipated findings/implications: Two county governments, 3 large municipalities, and 2 small municipalities in southwest and east Georgia participated in the evaluation. This presentation will share implementation and effectiveness outcomes from the pre-post manager surveys, post-only outdoor worker surveys, and key informant interviews. Systematic adaptation of effective interventions for underserved populations is important for increasing the reach and impact of evidence-based sun safety interventions and has potential to address race-based disparities in cancer prevention.
