Slip on a shirt, slop on some sunscreen, and slap on a hat is what Australian’s Cancer Society named their campaign when they declared war on skin cancer in 1981. This campaigned penetrated many Australian families, but didn’t stop there. Several American and British publications preached about Slip, Slap, Slop and soon threw their own spins on the phrase.
“To help remember how to be sun safe, the American Cancer Society has a fun catch phrase: Slip! Slop! Slap! ... and Wrap!: slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, slap on a hat, wrap on sunglasses to protect the eyes and sensitive skin around them.”[1]
The campaign especially hit home for many Americans & Australians, the culture in these countries is to have family time outside, where everyone can have fun. Sunburns are taken very lightly with many people but they were uneducated on how sunburns or even just exposure to the sun can cause long-term problems.
“Unprotected exposure to the sun while children are outside playing during the summer months may result in sunburn, permanent damage to the skin, and increase the risk of developing skin cancer.[2]”
Although, there has been a negative side that has come out of launching this worldwide campaign. It is known that unless you get enough time in the sun, soon you will become vitamin D deficient.
“A quarter of a century after the Slip, Slop, Slap skin-cancer campaign was launched, several prominent endocrinologists, orthopedic specialists and other experts say the message to cover up has led to vitamin D deficiencies in between 30% and 70% of the population.”[3]
[1] http://www.durangoherald.com/sections/Features/Columnists/Creating_Community/2010/07/07/Slip_Slop_Slap__and_Wrap_your_skin/
[2] http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/News/Slip-Slap-Slop-The-happy-sounds-of-summer.aspx?articleID=8209&categoryID=news-poh2
[3] http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/12/08/1196813083745.html
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