What are simple action steps for sun protection?

Online Q&A
25 July 2008

Q: What are simple action steps for sun protection?
A: Shade, sunglasses, clothing and hats provide the best protection – applying sunscreen becomes necessary on those parts of the body that remain exposed, like the face and hands. Sunscreen should never be used to prolong the duration of sun exposure.

• Limit time in the midday sun. The sun’s UV rays are the strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Take particular care when in the sun during these hours.
  
• Watch for the UV index. This important resource helps you plan your outdoor activities in ways that prevent overexposure to the sun’s rays. When the UV Index is moderate or above, sun protection is required.
  
• Use shade wisely. Seek shade when UV rays are the most intense, but keep in mind that shade structures such as trees, umbrellas or canopies do not offer complete sun protection.
  
• Wear protective clothing. A hat with a wide brim offers good sun protection for your eyes, ears, face, and the back or your neck. Sunglasses that provide 99 to 100 percent UV-A and UV-B protection will greatly reduce eye damage from sun exposure. Tightly woven, loose fitting clothes that covers as much of the body as possible will provide additional protection from the sun.
  
• Use sunscreen. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30+ liberally to exposed skin and re-apply every two hours, or after working, swimming, playing or exercising outdoors.
  
• Avoid sunlamps and tanning parlours. Sunbeds and sunlamps increase the risk of skin cancer and can damage unprotected eyes. They should be avoided entirely.
  
• Protect children. Children are generally more susceptible to environmental hazards than adults. During outdoor activities, they should be protected from high UV exposure as above, and babies should always remain in the shade.

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Stratospheric ozone depletion, UV radiation and health

It has been recognized for several decades that the release of chlorofluorocarbons and other atmospheric pollutants depletes stratospheric ozone, which in turn increases human exposure to ultraviolet radiation, causing skin cancer and cataracts.
The recognition of direct effects on human health effects was a major stimulus to the Montreal Protocol, which acts to reduce emissions of pollutants that weaken the ozone layer. Although this international agreement is proving highly effective in reducing risks in the long term, UV radiation remains a health hazard.
The World Health Organization, and partner organizations - through the Intersun project - have developed and promote the UV Index, a tool to inform and educate the public about sun protection.

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New psychological first aid guide to strengthen humanitarian relief

mproving the mental health of disaster affected populations

Joint news release WHO/War Trauma Foundation/World Vision Int.

16 August 2011 | Geneva - Humanitarian emergencies - such as earthquakes, extreme drought, or war - not only affect people’s physical health but also their psychological and social health and well-being.

Psychological first aid guide for fieldworkers

On World Humanitarian Day, celebrated on 19 August, WHO, the War Trauma Foundation (WTF) and World Vision International (WVI) announce the release of a Psychological first aid: Guide for fieldworkers.
“In the last five years the psychological damage left in the wake of tsunamis, earthquakes, droughts and conflicts has proven as devastating as the physical damage", says Dr Bruce Aylward, WHO Assistant Director-General for Polio, Emergencies and Country Collaboration. "Recognizing that we can do more and do better for the mental health of disaster affected populations, WHO and partners have developed this guide to ensure that standards and best practices are consistently applied in humanitarian settings.”
Psychological first aid covers both social and psychological support and involves the provision of humane, supportive and practical help to people suffering from serious crisis events.

Simple, practical guidance

This guide - which can be taught to humanitarian workers within one day for immediate use - was developed in order to have widely agreed upon psychological first aid materials for use in low and middle income countries. It reflects the emerging science and international consensus on how to provide basic support to people in the immediate aftermath of extremely stressful events.
Endorsed by 24 large international agencies, this guide gives simple, practical guidance for supporting people in ways that respect their dignity, culture and abilities. This guide will enable humanitarian and emergency workers from all over the world to provide basic but vital psychosocial support to people in acute distress, including helping distressed relief workers themselves.
"Knowing how to support someone who has just experienced a crisis event - to listen, to comfort and to help them regain control of their situation in practical ways - is key in crisis situations. This guide will help humanitarian aid workers and others to offer support in ways that respect the culture, dignity, abilities and rights of survivors - wherever they are in the world." says Dr Leslie Snider, Senior Programme Advisor at the War Trauma Foundation in the Netherlands.

Providing psychological support

The guide orients humanitarian workers on how to give basic psychological support, i.e. to listen without pressing the person to talk; to assess a person's needs and concerns; to help ensure that basic physical needs are met; and to provide or mobilize social support, and to protect people from further harm. The guide emphasizes support and protection to people who may need special attention in crises, including separated children and adolescents, people with disabilities, and people at risk of discrimination or violence.
“This guide will enable us to rapidly scale up basic psychological first aid for adults and children throughout all our development and humanitarian emergency programming in almost 100 countries around the world” reports Dr Stefan Germann, Director of Global Health Partnerships at World Vision International.

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Health Important Notices

Health Important Notices


Reduce the amount of tea you consume

Do not eat bread which has only JUST been toasted

Keep your distance from hand phone chargers

Drink more water in the morning, less at night

Do not drink coffee twice a day

Reduce the amount of oily food you consume

Best sleeping time is from 10pm at night to 6am in the morning

Do not have HUGE meals after 5pm

Do not take alcohol more than one glass/cup/serving a day

Do not take pills with cool water

Do not lie down immediately after taking medicine before sleeping

Getting less than 8 hours of sleep affects your health

People used to napping will not get old easily

If you can't get do early morning runs, 5pm-8pm in the afternoon is agreat time for jogging

When battery is down to the last grid/bar, do not answer the phone the radiation is 1000 times

Answer the phone by left ear,it’ll spoil your brain directly by using right ear

Do not use headphones/earphone for extended periods of time

Rest your ear awhile after 1 hour

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