Evaluating How a School-Based Skin Cancer Prevention Program Can Change Behavior Among North Carolina Highschoolers.

The incidence of skin cancer has risen steadily over recent decades. Childhood and adolescent sun exposure remains a critical risk factor in skin cancer development, making education of high schoolers imperative for promoting sun-safe behaviors. Medical students in North Carolina recognized this need and designed a skin cancer education program focused on portraying skin cancer in individuals with all Fitzpatrick skin phototypes. Eighty-seven students completed the pre-survey, and 84 completed the post-session survey. In the post-survey, 88% of students listed actionable behavioral changes they plan to make following the presentation. Following an educational session, students were able to demonstrate their new knowledge and provide meaningful behavioral changes. This program navigated challenges posed by COVID-19 and addressed the need for more inclusive skin cancer educational material.

Measuring and Improving Adherence to Crisaborole 2% Ointment in Patients With Atopic Dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory skin condition with dry, scaly, and intensely itchy skin. Treatment failure is the result of poor adherence. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we assessed the impact of an internet-based survey on adherence to topical crisaborole 2% ointment in patients with mild AD. METHODS: Participants were randomized to the intervention or control group. The intervention group received weekly email surveys regarding adherence for 6 weeks, then monthly for 12 months. All participants came in for 5 visits over the year. RESULTS: Twenty-eight subjects were recruited for the study (n=19 adults, n=9 pediatrics). Adherence for adults that remained in study (n=6) was 60%. Adherence of the adult control and intervention groups were 49% and 45%, respectively (P>0.05). Adherence for pediatric participants that remained in study (n=2) was 6%. The adherence of the pediatric control and intervention groups were 27% and 29%, respectively (P>0.05). DISCUSSION: Medication adherence was low. The survey intervention did not improve adherence. However, more participants in the intervention group completed the study than in the control group of adults. Regular communication from the provider may help patients feel supported and continue treatment. CLINICALTRIALS: gov identifier: NCT03250663 J Drugs Dermatol. 2022;21(10):1043-1048. doi:10.36849/JDD.6280.

A comparison of alternative strategies for cost-effective water quality management in lakes.

Roughly 45% of the assessed lakes in the United States are impaired for one or more reasons. Eutrophication due to excess phosphorus loading is common in many impaired lakes. Various strategies are available to lake residents for addressing declining lake water quality, including septic system upgrades and establishing riparian buffers. This study examines 25 lakes to determine whether septic upgrades or riparian buffers are a more cost-effective strategy to meet a phosphorus reduction target. We find that riparian buffers are the more cost-effective strategy in every case but one. Large transaction costs associated with the negotiation and monitoring of riparian buffers, however, may be prohibiting lake residents from implementing the most cost-effective strategy.