Limerick University gets ‘SunSmart’ in pilot of new health initiative

THE UNIVERSITY of Limerick (UL) is piloting a SunSmart Campus initiative in “an important step towards skin cancer prevention”.

The initiative was launched in partnership with HSE Mid West, the HSE's National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) and Healthy Ireland.

Its aim is to support the well-being of students and staff by promoting sun safety education and practices.

Sarah Kennedy, Healthy UL manager, explained: “UL is the first Irish university to roll out the SunSmart programme. The pilot will take a multi‑component, whole‑campus approach embedding skin cancer prevention throughout the university over the next three years.

“The first initiative being rolled out is sunscreen dispensers displayed across various locations on UL campus. We are encouraging students, staff and visitors to the campus to take the necessary steps to protect their skin when outside to reduce their risk of sun damage and skin cancer.”

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Bernadette Mullins, Senior Health Promotion and Improvement Officer, Cancer Prevention, HSE Mid West expressed her support for the initiative.

“We are delighted to support UL to pilot being the first SunSmart Campus in Ireland to help raise awareness of the importance of sun protection.”

Despite being “highly preventable,” skin cancer is the most common cancer in Ireland, with over 11,000 cases diagnosed throughout the country annually.