Background:
Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from the sun is hazardous to human health, akin to the impact from natural hazards, or urban heat island effect (UHIE). Risk management related to the impacts of climate change including urban heat is considered business as usual across public and private sectors. However these risk mitigations can inadvertently exacerbate the risk of skin cancer by increasing UVR exposure due to albedo/reflection. Therefore there is a need to position planning controls to reduce exposure to UVR alongside controls to reduce urban heat island effect and other climate change impacts.
Methods:
Since 2012, the NSW Skin Cancer Prevention Strategy (the Strategy)[1] implementation has involved collaborations with more than 15 cross sector partner organisations. This is achieved through activities including enabling access to quality shade and health supporting policy across a range of settings. Partnership activities include positioning UVR protection alongside UHIE mitigations to enable access to quality shade and health supporting policy.
Examples include introducing recognition of UVR as a natural hazard requiring shade provisions in some local government land use planning policies[2]; creation of the first UV Smart and Cool playground in NSW[3]; and establishing continuing professional development for planning and design professionals highlighting shade design requirements for both UVR protection and heat mitigation.[4]
Discussion:
As a result of these activities the 2023-2030 Strategy now includes an explicit activity to align skin cancer prevention with actions focused on the complementary benefits of sun/UV protection – including reducing the impact of increased heat from climate change.