Communicating risk of skin cancer may be most effective to reduce indoor tanning among young white women
April 26, 2020
Abstract
Objectives: Indoor tanning, which is most common among 18-25-year-old white women, increases the risk of skin cancer. To address this problem, we developed and tested messages with a national sample of indoor tanners to determine beliefs that would encourage them to quit.
Methods: Messages discouraging indoor tanning using different persuasive themes (skin cancer risk, appearance risk, well-being enhancement) were developed based on formative research and a review of intervention efforts. We conducted an online experiment to test the final messages with a national sample of 480 indoor tanners.
Results: Messages that emphasized skin cancer risk out-performed messages that focused on well-being enhancement or damage to appearance in terms of intention to quit indoor tanning. Analyses revealed 2 key mediators: perceived argument strength and beliefs related to the effects of indoor tanning.
Conclusions: Theory- and evidence-informed public health communications can contribute to improving health-related behaviors. Focusing on the risk of skin cancer may be the most effective strategy to reduce indoor tanning among young white women.
Source:
Jordan, A. B., Bleakley, A., Alber, J. M., Lazovich, D., & Glanz, K. (2020). Developing and Testing Message Strategies to Reduce Indoor Tanning. American Journal of Health Behavior, 44(3), 292–301. doi: 10.5993/ajhb.44.3.2
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