August 3, 2005 -- Houston becomes the nation's first SunWise City by encouraging its residents to adopt sun safe behaviors. The EPA, in partnership with local officials, hopes to extend sun safety education into communities through city-wide classroom, school, and community-based programs.
"We are pleased to see Houston lead the nation in promoting programs to help its citizens live healthier lives," said EPA Regional Administrator Richard Greene. "Mayor White has been committed to help ensure citizens can enjoy the many outdoor resources in and around Houston."
The City of Houston will incorporate sun safety initiatives and action steps into its Get Moving Houston program, which encourages Houstonians to adopt more healthful lifestyles, particularly when enjoying outdoor activities.
Houston will pledge to encourage its residents to practice sun safety when participating in outdoor activities. Plans are to teach sun safety programs within schools and at informal education programs including city parks and recreation, after-school programs, summer camps, and children's science centers. The city will develop a sun safety policy for city outdoor workers and will promote sun safety at all city-sponsored events and venues.
SunWise Cities is a pilot program that seeks to reach more people with sun safety messages by coordinating and promoting the use of SunWise educational activities in school classrooms, informal education venues such as science and children's museums and other community-based programs. The idea is to reinforce sun safety messages throughout the community-not just in K-8 class rooms-to get people to change their behavior when it comes to protecting themselves from the harmful health effects of UV exposure.
