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  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, Read the information on page 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