A Social Media Intervention for Reducing Tanning Behaviors
This clinical trial evaluates a social media intervention delivered via Facebook for reducing tanning behaviors among women ages 18-25 years old. The use of indoor tanning beds is associated with an increased risk of skin cancer, including melanoma. Nearly 1 in 5 young adult white females use indoor tanning ten or more times each year, a rate that is associated with a substantially increased risk of melanoma. Rates of risky outdoor tanning are continuing to increase. Current tanning interventions usually inform users of the damaging effects of tanning, which has been found to be effective among typical indoor tanners and in particular among those who are unaware of these risks. However, high-risk tanners are often already knowledgeable of these risks and consider the risks to be less important than the benefits. There is a critical need for the development of novel behavioral interventions targeted toward high-risk tanners. This clinical trial evaluates an educational social media intervention delivered via Facebook groups for reducing tanning behaviors among female high-risk tanners ages 18-25.