Chapter 7

Skin cancer is a major risk to human health and
development to children and adults in Australia.

Overexposure to the sun as a child can significantly
increase the risk of developing eye and skin damage
and skin cancer as an adult

Sunburn is the reaction of exposure to UV radiation.
Overexposure to the sun and sunburn can also
increase the risk skin caners


Preventative measures that can be taken include
taking a ‘sun smart’ approach when out doors. The
best way to be sun smart is to ‘slip on a t-shirt, slop
on some sunscreen and, slap on a hat.’

In Australia, the risk of developing skin cancer from too much sun
exposure needs to be balanced with the need to maintain
adequate vitamin D levels. People who are vitamin D deficient
are at risk of rickets (soft and weaken bones)

The UV from the sunlight is required for the formation of vitamin
D in the skin. It can also be found in small amounts in some food
such as oil, fish, eggs and some dairy products.

Vitamin D is important to the developing child because it helps
the body to absorb calcium through the small intestine .

Calcium is required for the ossification (hardening) of bones and
teeth, and the functioning of muscles and nerves

There are three types of skin cancer: basal cell
carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.

Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin caner. It
has the potential to spread to other parts of the
body.

Melanoma is linked to the amount of lifetime
exposure to the sun.

Sun protection during infancy and childhood is vital
for reducing the risk of melanoma in adulthood.

Answer Test your knowledge questions 1-4 on page
223 and Apply you knowledge question 5.
 The
Physical environment refers to the
surroundings in which person lives in and the
accessibility to resources such as housing,
food, water, health services and recreational
facilities .

It also refers to the environmental
conditions in which a child lives impacts on
the individual health and human
development.

Ideally a house provides shelter, a clean place in
which to live, and protects children form the outdoor
environment, including any physical dangers.

Not everybody has the ideal house and are forced to
live overcrowding dwellings. Overcrowding causes
further issues such as water supplies ( bathroom,
kitchen, laundry, wastes disposals).

These factors as well as living in close proximity can
cause infections and infectious diseases to spread.

Living in a low socio economic situation has been
linked to a range of flow on effects. (see figure 7.31
P224)
According to Kidsafe Victoria, half of the deaths and three
out of 4 injuries in the 0-5 age group occur at home.
 Some of the major concerns in the home environment
include:
 Drowning
 Access to medication and medical facilities
 Falls from playground equipment
 Falling from verandas and stairs
 Burns and scalds
 Choking
 Dog bites
Research three of the mentioned concerns. Answer the
following questions; What are the causes? What are the
percentages of children in the 0-5 age group that face the
concerns? How can the concerns be prevented?


Fluoride is a natural mineral found in food, water, plants and
toothpaste.

The fluoridation of water involves adding fluoride to the public
water supply to reduce tooth decay. Fluoride reduces the amount
of acid that is produced and bacteria in the mouth.

All capital cities in Australia has now has access to fluoridated
water, with Brisbane being the last capital city to phase it in, in
2008.

The consumption of fluoridated water, along with a good
nutrition and appropriate oral hygiene, helps protect children’s
teeth by reducing the risk of tooth dcay.

Answer Test your knowledge questions 1-5 on page 227 and
Apply you knowledge question 7.
 If
you have finished all task please move onto
chapter 7, 7.11. Read the information on
page 228-229. Access to recreational
facilities. Read the case study on page 229
and answer the 3 questions attached to it.
 Page 229 Test you knowledge 1-4