Our achievements
More than 20 years of commitment and partnerships with VicHealth, government and commercial and community agencies has seen changes in social norms and health including:
- decreased rates of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer in young people
- Victoria becoming the national leader in solarium legislation across Australia
- increased use of hats and sunscreens, reductions in sunburn and a decrease in people's desire for a tan.
Over the next 20 years, SunSmart's work is predicted to:
- prevent 1,900 premature deaths
- reduce the number of cases of melanoma by 20,000
- reduce non-melanoma skin cancer by 49,000.
The program is extremely cost effective with a $2.30 net saving for every dollar spent. SunSmart is not only about sun protection. It's an investment in prevention that brings health and economic benefits to Victoria.