Implementation Outcomes of the National Skin Smart Campus Initiative Among Young Adults

Abstract

Young adults often underuse ultraviolet radiation (UVR) protective strategies and engage in indoor tanning, heightening lifetime skin cancer risk. The national Skin Smart Campus (SSC) initiative encourages universities to adopt policies that reduce UVR exposure. We evaluated a 6-month SSC university campaign using an independent-samples pre-post design with surveys before (N = 230) and after (N = 267) implementation. The campaign included SSC designation, an educational webpage, targeted Instagram content, small media, and sunscreen dispensers. Following campaign launch, knowledge increased over time (t = 5.02, df = 493, p < 0.001), as did dispenser use (21.9% to 57.7%; χ2 = 64.4, p < 0.001). The sun safety behavior composite showed an upward trend (13.5 to 14.2, t = 1.71, df = 490, p = 0.09). Variance models indicated a significant time effect (F [1, 482] = 4.55, p = 0.03, η2p = 0.01; small effect), with higher sun safety associated with greater knowledge (F = 8.29, p = 0.004, η2p = 0.02; small effect) and SSC campaign awareness (F = 56.88, p < 0.001, η2p = 0.10; large effect). In multivariable regression, campaign engagement predicted higher odds of dispenser use (Odds Ratio = 3.01, 95% CI: 1.82–4.98, p < 0.001). Implementing SSC with environmental supports and tailored education increased knowledge, sun safety, and dispenser use, highlighting the strong influence of SSC visibility and multimodal campus-wide prevention strategies.