The most prevalent modifiable risk factor for skin cancer is cumulative lifetime exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, supporting the development of interventions promoting the early adoption of sun-protection behaviors. This systematic review summarizes behavioral interventions designed to promote sun-protection behaviors and reduce harmful UV exposure among U.S. adolescents. Ten studies describing 15 intervention arms were ultimately included in this review and comprised seven cross-sectional studies, a cohort study, a quasi-experimental study, and a randomized controlled trial. Most interventions included in this review were effective in increasing awareness of skin cancer and knowledge of the risk factors for skin cancer, but knowledge did not correlate with self-reported frequency of sun-protection behaviors in this population.
Keywords: adolescent; attitude to health; attitudes; awareness; basal cell carcinoma; health behavior; health education; health knowledge; health risk behaviors; knowledge; melanoma; minors; practice; prevention and control; primary prevention; skin aging; skin cancer; skin neoplasms; squamous cell carcinoma; sunscreening agents; ultraviolet rays.
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