Even a little more shade can make a world of difference

DEAR Editor,

Local residents are lucky to have access to many great parks, playgrounds and outdoor spaces.

But without ample shade, these places not only become hotspots but also high UV exposure zones.

More than 95 per cent of skin cancers in Australia are due to over-exposure to UV radiation.

The good news is good quality shade can reduce UV by 60 to 90 per cent.

Creating more natural and built shade is crucial to helping reduce skin cancer risk.

Yet too often, UV protection is overlooked in local shade planning. Recent research by SunSmart found that most local government areas (LGAs) include shade in their Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plans but only four LGAs out of 79 in Victoria specifically linked shade to UV protection.

With more than 3000 Victorians diagnosed with melanoma (the deadliest form of skin cancer) in 2023 alone, local governments have an important role to play in preventing skin cancer by making UV protection a priority.

We urge local councils to ensure UV protection is included in their new Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan or integrated Council Plan as a co-benefit of shade.

To support this, SunSmart has developed tailored recommendations on how UV can be easily integrated into the councils’ health and climate priorities.

Including UV in planning can make a world of difference to your community.

To find out about SunSmart’s recommendations on including UV protection in planning, visit sunsmart.com.au/advice-for/local-government/municipal-public-health-and-wellbeing-plans .

Justine Osborne

SunSmart Advocacy and Policy Manager, Cancer Council Victoria