Effect of a Face-Aging Mobile App–Based Intervention on Skin Cancer Protection Behavior in Secondary Schools in Brazil: A Cluster-Randomized Clinical Trial
RCT (n=1573) suggests interventions based on face-aging apps (selfies altered by app to show UV effects on future faces) may increase skin cancer protection behaviour in Brazilian adolescents, with daily sunscreen use increased from 15.0% to 22.9% (p <0 .001) at 6-month follow-up
Source:
JAMA Dermatology
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SPS commentary:
The study found the intervention was more effective for female students (NNT for the primary end point: 8 for girls and 31 for boys). An editorial notes that limitations to the current study include boys being less likely to take selfies and may be slightly less likely to engage in appearance-focused interventions. It suggests that this work represents a needed shift toward scalable interventions that bring messaging to target populations using their preferred technology. It is also responsive to recent calls for more nuanced sun safety messaging for population segments at highest risk.