Sun Protection Policies and Environmental Features in US Elementary Schools

 We are shades ahead since 1998!

In 1998 the AMC Cancer Research Center sponsored by a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency undertook a survey on 1000 schools across the country and found an alarmingly low 3.4% of schools had sun protection policies in place in their schools. 

The conclusion of the survey showed that the low frequency of sun protection policies and shade structures called for a national effort to change policies and environments to increase sun protection at US schools.  At almost the same time as this survey was being conducted, our manufacturing arm TricoUSA, began manufacturing shade structures in the United States, and without hard facts and statisitices we have found that there has been an increased awareness and practice at more and more schools in the country.   When we began marketing our products to schools back then we could hardly give our shade structures away, eventually as the awareness grew and the need for sun protection was seen we found schools desiring the structures but were challenged with the required funds to purchase them.  It was for this reason we created Shade4Schools fundraising program, to assist schools access these structures and protect children while at play outdoors.  For all of us in the shade structure industry, it is so pleasing to see the trend shift and for us to receive market acceptance for our  products, it gives us great pleasure to drive by a school and witness a shade structure whether ours or a competitors shielding children as they play.

As we approach the 10 year anniversary of this survey it will be interesting to learn how far we have come and how much more percentage of schools now practice sun protection policies.  To view the 1998 report - http://archderm.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/138/6/771 .