Free sunscreen dispensers: A readily available asset for the primary prevention of skin cancer

Abstract

To the Editor: Sunscreen is a simple, well-known medium for reducing photoaging, preventing sunburn, and reducing the risk of skin cancer. 1 Leiter U. Eigentler T. Garbe C. Epidemiology of skin cancer. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2014; 810: 120-140 PubMed Google Scholar Portable sunscreen dispensers, which are similar to soap and hand sanitizer dispensers, have the potential to greatly benefit public health and to augment skin cancer prevention efforts by increasing the accessibility of sunscreen. The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a significant decrease in the use of free sunscreen dispensers, in both public and private sector enterprises, including healthcare, recreation, and parks. 2 Eason C.D. Rundle C. Dunnick C.A. Hugh J. Dellavalle R.P. National trends in free public sunscreen dispensers. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2021; 84: 1109-1111https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2020.05.136 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (1) Google Scholar ,3 Szeto M.D. Kokoska R.E. Maghfour J. et al. An analysis of public sunscreen distribution in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2022; 86: e241-e243https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2022.01.020 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (0) Google Scholar In the 2018-2019 academic year, the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus partnered with DEFEATMelanoma (https://defeatmelanoma.org/) and the Richard David Kann (RDK) Melanoma Foundation to provide 6 free sunscreen dispensers around the Medical Campus. 4 Ilsley B. New sunscreen dispensers, CU Anschutz Medical Campus News. https://news.cuanschutz.edu/news-stories/new-sunscreen-dispensersDate: 2018 Date accessed: March 3, 2022 Google Scholar During the pandemic, there was a considerable decrease in use of these dispensers at the Anschutz Medical Campus—notably, this represents a similar plummet to that described by Eason et al 2 Eason C.D. Rundle C. Dunnick C.A. Hugh J. Dellavalle R.P. National trends in free public sunscreen dispensers. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2021; 84: 1109-1111https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2020.05.136 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (1) Google Scholar and Szeto et al. 3 Szeto M.D. Kokoska R.E. Maghfour J. et al. An analysis of public sunscreen distribution in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2022; 86: e241-e243https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2022.01.020 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (0) Google Scholar Supply chain disruptions secondary to the pandemic greatly affected the availability of numerous commodities across the country, one of these being sunscreen dispensers. 5 Esper T.L. Supply chain management amid the coronavirus pandemic. J Public Policy Mark. 2021; 40: 101-102https://doi.org/10.1177/0743915620932150 Crossref Scopus (31) Google Scholar Therefore, we undertook an investigation to ascertain the range of sunscreen dispensers currently available on the market.