# data[].attributes.body
This article on sun safety from the CDC talks about how important it is to wear sunscreen, especially in the summer. It also talks about how most skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to the sun or ultraviolet light. You can protect your skin by staying the shade under an umbrella or by wearing sunscreen every day. Sunglasses and hats also help because they protect you from the sun's rays. Teachers and staff should take steps to protect the students from getting skin cancer later in life. In the PreK-4th grade classrooms teachers can teach students about the importance of wearing sunscreen everyday and the importance of trying not to get skin cancer. Children should learn about tips for sun safety and ways to prevent skin cancer as they get older.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, April 18). Sun Safety. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/sun-safety.htm

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S. Too much sun can cause skin cancer. This video explains how to protect your skin from the sun.

Spending time outside is a great way to be physically active, reduce stress, and get vitamin D. You can work and play outside without raising your skin cancer risk by protecting your skin from the sun.

Most skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. UV rays are an invisible kind of radiation that comes from the sun, tanning beds, and sunlamps. UV rays can damage skin cells.

Protection from UV rays is important all year, not just during the summer. UV rays can reach you on cloudy and cool days, and they reflect off of surfaces like water, cement, sand, and snow. In the continental United States, UV rays tend to be strongest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daylight saving time (9 a.m. to 3 p.m. standard time).

The UV Index forecasts the strength of UV rays each day. If the UV index is 3 or higher in your area, protect your skin from too much exposure to the sun.

How to Protect Your Skin from the Sun

Shade

You can reduce your risk of sun damage and skin cancer by staying in the shade under an umbrella, tree, or other shelter. Your best bet to protect your skin is to use sunscreen or wear protective clothing when you're outside-even when you're in the shade.

Clothing

When possible, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants and skirts, which can provide protection from UV rays. If wearing this type of clothing isn't practical, try to wear a T-shirt or a beach cover-up. Clothes made from tightly woven fabric offer the best protection. A wet T-shirt offers much less UV protection than a dry one, and darker colors may offer more protection than lighter colors. Some clothing is certified under international standards as offering UV protection.

Hat

For the most protection, wear a hat that has a brim all the way around that shades your face, ears, and the back of your neck. A tightly woven fabric, such as canvas, works best to protect your skin from UV rays. Avoid straw hats with holes that let sunlight through. A darker hat may offer more UV protection.

If you wear a baseball cap, you should also protect your ears and the back of your neck by wearing clothing that covers those areas, using sunscreen, or staying in the shade.

Sunglasses

Sunglasses protect your eyes from UV rays and reduce the risk of cataracts. They also protect the tender skin around your eyes from sun exposure.

Sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays offer the best protection. Most sunglasses sold in the United States, regardless of cost, meet this standard. Wrap-around sunglasses work best because they block UV rays from sneaking in from the side.

Sunscreen

Put on broad spectrum sunscreen that filters out both UVA and UVB rays and has an SPF of 15 or higher before you go outside. Don't forget to put a thick layer on all exposed skin. Get help for hard-to-reach places like your back. And remember, sunscreen works best when combined with other options.

Sunscreen is not recommended for babies who are 6 months old or younger. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends keeping infants out of the sun during midday and using protective clothing if they have to be in the sun.

SPF. Sunscreens are assigned a sun protection factor (SPF), which is a number that rates how well they filter out UV rays. Higher numbers indicate more protection. You should use a broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF of 15 or higher.

Reapplication. Sunscreen wears off. Put it on again if you stay out in the sun for more than 2 hours and after swimming, sweating, or toweling off.

Expiration date. Check the sunscreen's expiration date. Sunscreen without an expiration date has a shelf life of no more than 3 years. Its shelf life is shorter if it has been exposed to high temperatures.

Sun Safety Tips for Schools

Recess and other outdoor activities during the day can put students at risk if their skin isn't protected from too much exposure to the sun. Teachers and school administrators can take steps to protect students from getting skin cancer later in life.

Proven skin cancer prevention interventions and educational programs are available for child care centers and schools. The National Cancer Institute's Evidence-Based Cancer Control Programs website lists sun-safety programs for schools.

Sun Safety Tips for Employers

The Occupational Safety and Health Act requires employers to minimize risk of harm to workers. Employers may be required to provide workers' compensation to employees who get skin cancer because of sun exposure on the job.

Skin cancer can greatly reduce workers' productivity. Every year, Americans lose more than $100 million in productivity because of restricted activity or absence from work due to skin cancer.

Providing sun protection for outdoor workers helps create a healthy and safe workplace. It can also increase productivity, which saves money. Some of the tips below protect outdoor workers from heat as well as sun exposure.

CDC Health Information for International Travel: Sun Exposure

# data[].attributes.body
This article on Zyn nicotine pouches from CNN talks about how Zyn is replacing vaping and how it is dangerous for students. The article talks about how Zyn is attracting the Gen Z generation and they are using Zyn instead of vapes. A can of Zyn costs about $5 for about 15 pouches that contain various amounts of nicotine and are absorbed in a person’s gum and lip over an hour, then they spit it out. Anyone who makes or sells “non-tobacco nicotine” must comply with FDA regulations, which include not selling to people under 21. Teachers should be informed about this topic, incase someone in school is talking about Zyn or has it in the classroom. Children should also learn about how nicotine is bad for your body and how vaping and Zyn is not good for your lungs.

Zyn nicotine pouches are flying off shelves. critics say they’re dangerous for Kids | CNN business. (n.d.). https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/08/business/zyn-nicotine-pouches-sales-earnings/index.html

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Zyn nicotine pouches are flying off shelves. Critics say they're dangerous for kids | CNN Business

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Move over vapes, Americans appear to have a new addiction: Zyn, a tobacco-free nicotine pouch product, that has exploded in sales over the past year.

# data[].attributes.body
This article on Lunchables from CBS News talks about how Lunchables have a concerning amount of lead and sodium in them. Prepackaged boxes of deli meat and cheese and crackers are not the healthiest option when it comes to picking snacks or lunches for kids. A 3.2-ounce Turkey and Cheddar Cracker Stackers Lunchables held 74% of California's level allowed for lead, and 49% of the daily recommended sodium for 4- to 8-year-olds. Last year, after changing some of the nutritional content, Lunchables were allowed into the National School Lunch Program, giving tens of millions of children access to them on a near daily basis. Teachers should learn about unhealthy eating so that they know how to teach students about what is healthy to eat. Children should learn about healthy eating so that they know what is healthy to eat and what is unhealthy to eat.

Gibson, K. (2024, April 12). Lunchables have concerning levels of lead and sodium, Consumer Reports finds. CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/lunchables-lead-sodium-consumer-reports-kraft-heinz/?intcid=CNM-00-10abd1h

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
/ CBS News

Lunchables - prepackaged boxes of deli meat, cheese and crackers - are not the healthiest option when it comes to picking snacks or lunches for kids, as they contain troublesome levels of lead and sodium, according to Consumer Reports.

The advocacy group tested Lunchables, made by Kraft Heinz, as well as similar lunch and snack kits from other manufacturers, finding cause for concern in the products popular for decades as a convenient snack or lunch for children.

"There's a lot to be concerned about in these kits," according to Amy Keating, a registered dietitian at CR. "They're highly processed, and regularly eating processed meat, a main ingredient in many of these products, has been linked to increased risk of some cancers."

None of the kits exceeded legal or regulatory limits, but five of 12 tested products would expose someone to 50% or more of California's maximum allowable amount of lead, or cadmium heavy metals that can cause developmental and other problems in kids, CR found.

A 3.2-ounce Turkey and Cheddar Cracker Stackers Lunchables held 74% of California's level allowed for lead, and 49% of the daily recommended sodium for 4- to 8-year-olds. Other products tested by CR were found to contain lesser amounts of both lead and sodium.

"The kits provide only about 15% of the 1,600 daily calories that a typical 8-year-old requires, but that small amount of food puts them fairly close to the daily maximum limit for lead," stated Eric Boring, a CR chemist who led the testing. "So if a child gets more than half of the daily limit for lead from so few calories, there's little room for potential exposure from other foods, drinking water or the environment."

"We don't think anybody should regularly eat these products, and they definitely shouldn't be considered a healthy school lunch," said Boring.

CR is calling on the U.S. Department of Agriculture to remove the Kraft Heinz products from the federal program that provides low-cost or free meals to kids on school days, with its petition topping 16,600 signatures.

"Last year, after changing some of the nutritional content, Lunchables were allowed into the national School Lunch Program, giving tens of millions of children access on a near daily basis," CBS News' Nancy Chen reported.

A spokesperson for Kraft Heinz defended the company's 35-year-old brand.

"Many of our Lunchables products are a good source of protein, offering nutrients through meats and cheeses. We've taken great steps to improve the nutrition profile of Lunchables, including recently unveiling Lunchables with Fresh Fruit, in partnership with Fresh Del Monte, and reducing the sodium in all Lunchables crackers by 26%," the spokesperson stated in an email.

"According to current science, processed foods arbitrarily classified as 'ultra-processed' are not necessarily less nutritious. In fact, many processed foods contain added nutrients, providing even more benefits to the consumer. The classification of foods should be based on scientific evidence that includes an assessment of the nutritional value of the whole product, not restricted to one element such as a single ingredient or the level of processing," the Kraft Heinz spokesperson stated.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Lunchables have concerning levels of lead and sodium, Consumer Reports finds

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The prepackaged boxes of deli meat, cheese and crackers are not a healthy choice for kids, advocacy group says.

# data[].attributes.body
This article on physical activity from NYTimes talks about how exercise is important for the brain and how it boosts your mood overall. It also talks about how Exercise offers short-term boosts in cognition. Studies show that immediately after physical activity, people perform better on tests of working memory. People who work out several times a week have higher cognitive test scores, on average, than people who don't work out as much. People who work out several times a week also have better mental health and a better mood. Exercise’s effect on the hippocampus may be one way it helps protect against Alzheimer’s disease, which is associated with significant changes to that part of the brain. Teachers should know about this article and research so that they can teach their students about the importance of exercise and so that they can know about it for themselves as well. Children should learn about this material so that they can know how important exercise is for the brain and for the body as a whole.

Smith, D. G. (2024, April 2). How exercise strengthens your brain. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/02/well/mind/exercise-mental-health-cognition.html?searchResultPosition=13

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Physical activity improves cognitive and mental health in all sorts of ways. Here’s why, and how to reap the benefits.

# data[].attributes.body
This article on Grief from the American Cancer Society talks about grief and how to handle it when you lose someone or something. The process involves many different emotions, actions, and expressions, all of which help a person come to terms with the loss of a loved one.When you are grieving, it is normal for you to act differently and to not want to do certain things. Children of all ages go through grief, sadness, and despair after losing someone they love, especially when that person is a parent. It’s common for the grief process to take a year or longer. Grief most often gets less intense over time, but the sense of loss can last for decades. It's important for teachers to know about this so that they can find ways to help their students who may be struggling with a lose of someone. Children should learn about grief and how to handle it if they lose someone close to them.

Grief and bereavement: How long is the grieving process?. Grief And Bereavement | How Long Is The Grieving Process? | American Cancer Society. (n.d.). https://www.cancer.org/cancer/end-of-life-care/grief-and-loss/grieving-process.html

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Grief And Bereavement | How Long Is The Grieving Process?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Grief is normal, and it is a process. The process of grieving is different for different people. Learn more about grief, mourning and bereavement.

# data[].attributes.body
This article on drug use with teenagers from NBC News talks about how teenagers are using drugs when they are alone to ease their stress and anxiety. The article also talks about how early prevention interventions are crucial to support teens who may turn to drug use to cope with stress, anxiety or depression. A majority of the teens used marijuana to cope with their stress and anxiety. A lot of kids, when they die and overdose in their home, they're in their room and nobody saw it happening. Addiction experts urge parents and caregivers to educate kids about the risks of using drugs alone. Teachers should learn about this because they then can teach students how important it is to not do drugs and to not do drugs alone. Children should learn about this so that they can be informed to not to drugs and to not do drugs when they are by themselves.

NBCUniversal News Group. (2024, February 8). CDC report finds teens use drugs to ease stress and anxiety, often while alone. NBCNews.com. https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/cdc-report-teens-marijuana-alcohol-anxiety-stress-alone-rcna137737

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
CDC report finds teens use drugs — often alone — to ease stress and anxiety

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Nearly half of surveyed teens said they turned to drugs to “stop worrying about a problem or forget bad memories.”

# data[].attributes.body
This article on bullying prevention from the CDC talks about how important it is to prevent bullying from happening. Bullying may inflict harm or distress on the targeted youth including physical, psychological, social, or educational harm. About 1 in 5 high school students reported being bullied on school property. More than 1 in 6 high school students reported being bullied electronically in the last year. Bullying can result in physical injury, social and emotional distress, self-harm, and even death. It also increases the risk for depression and anxiety. Bullying is preventable. There are many factors that may increase or decrease the risk for perpetrating or experiencing bullying. Addressing and preventing one form of violence may have an impact on preventing other forms of violence.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023b, September 28). Fast facts: Preventing bullying |violence prevention|injury Center|CDC. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/youthviolence/bullyingresearch/fastfact.html

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Bullying is a form of youth violence and an adverse childhood experience (ACE). CDC defines bullying as any unwanted aggressive behavior(s) by another youth or group of youths, who are not siblings or current dating partners, that involves an observed or perceived power imbalance, and is repeated multiple times or is highly likely to be repeated. Bullying may inflict harm or distress on the targeted youth including physical, psychological, social, or educational harm. Common types of bullying include:

Physical such as hitting, kicking, and tripping

Verbal including name-calling and teasing

Relational/social such as spreading rumors and leaving out of the group

Damage to property of the victim

Bullying can also occur through technology, which is called electronic bullying or cyberbullying. A young person can be a perpetrator, a victim, or both (also known as "bully/victim"). For more information about bullying definitions please see Bullying Surveillance Among Youths: Uniform Definitions for Public Health and Recommended Data Elements, Version 1 [8.64 MB, 116 Pages, 508] .

Bullying is widespread in the United States. Bullying negatively impacts all youth involved including those who are bullied, those who bully others, and those who witness bullying, known as bystanders.

Bullying is common. About 1 in 5 high school students reported being bullied on school property. More than 1 in 6 high school students reported being bullied electronically in the last year.

Some youth experience bullying more than others. Nearly 40% of high school students who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual and about 33% of those who were not sure of their sexual identity experienced bullying at school or electronically in the last year, compared to 22% of heterosexual high school students. About 30% of female high school students experienced bullying at school or electronically in the last year, compared to about 19% of males. Nearly 29% of White high school students experienced bullying at school or electronically in the last year compared to about 19% of Hispanic and 18% of Black high school students.

Bullying is a frequent discipline problem. Nearly 14% of public schools report that bullying is a discipline problem occurring daily or at least once a week.

Reports of bullying are highest in middle schools (28%) followed by high schools (16%), combined schools (12%), and primary schools (9%).

Reports of cyberbullying are highest in middle schools (33%) followed by high schools (30%), combined schools (20%), and primary schools (5%).

Bullying can result in physical injury, social and emotional distress, self-harm, and even death. It also increases the risk for depression, anxiety, sleep difficulties, lower academic achievement, and dropping out of school. Youth who bully others are at increased risk for substance misuse, academic problems, and experiencing violence later in adolescence and adulthood. Youth who bully others and are bullied themselves suffer the most serious consequences and are at greater risk for mental health and behavioral problems.

Bullying is preventable. There are many factors that may increase or decrease the risk for perpetrating or experiencing bullying. To prevent bullying, we must understand and address the factors that put people at risk for or protect them from violence. CDC developed, Youth Violence Prevention Resource for Action [4 MB, 64 Pages] , to help communities take advantage of the best available evidence to prevent youth violence. This resource is also Cdc-pdf available in Spanish [3.89 MB, 68 Pages, 508] and can be used as a tool in efforts to impact individual behaviors as well as the relationship, family, school, community, and societal risk and protective factors for violence. The approaches in this resource, particularly universal school-based programs that strengthen youths' skills and modify the physical and social environment, have been shown to reduce violence and bullying or key risk factors.

Different types of violence are connected and often share root causes. Bullying is linked to other forms of violence through shared risk and protective factors. Addressing and preventing one form of violence may have an impact on preventing other forms of violence.

See Youth Violence Resources for articles, publications, data sources, and prevention resources for bullying.

1. Gladden RM, Vivolo-Kantor AM, Hamburger ME, Lumpkin CD. Bullying surveillance among youths: Uniform definitions for public health and recommended data elements, Version 1.0. Atlanta, GA; National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and U.S. Department of Education; 2013. Available from https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/bullying-definitionsfinal-a.pdf.

2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Youth risk behavior surveillance-United States, 2019. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report-Surveillance
Summaries 2020; 69(SS1). Available fromhttps://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/pdf/2019/su6901-H.pdf

3. Diliberti, M., Jackson, M., Correa, S., and Padgett, Z. (2019). Crime, Violence, Discipline, and Safety in U.S. Public Schools: Findings From the School Survey on Crime and Safety: 2017-18 (NCES 2019-061). U.S. Department of Education. Washington, DC: National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved from http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch.

4. Farrington D, Baldry A. Individual risk factors for school bullying. Journal of Aggression, Conflict and Peace Research 2010; 2(1):4-16. Available from https://doi.org/10.5042/jacpr.2010.0001.

5. David-Ferdon, C., Vivolo-Kantor, A. M., Dahlberg, L. L., Marshall, K. J., Rainford, N. & Hall, J. E. (2016). Youth Violence Prevention Resource for Action: A Compilation of the Best Available Evidence. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Note: The title of this document was changed in July 2023 to align with other Prevention Resources being developed by CDC's Injury Center. The document was previously cited as "A Comprehensive Technical Package for the Prevention of Youth Violence and Associated Risk Behaviors."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Adolescents & adults often unaware teens experience dating violence

# data[].attributes.body
This article on water safety by the CDC talks about ways to be safe in the ocean and lakes. It also talks about how even though you may be a good swimmer, you never know when you may need help. Having friends around is safer and just more fun. If you get caught in a strong current, don’t fight it. Swim parallel to the shore until you have passed through it. Look out for signs warning you that the water is not clean, because polluted water could make you sick. Another thing they talk about is if the water’s cold, a wetsuit can be your best friend. Wearing it will make you feel more comfortable, and you’ll keep your body temp from dropping to the danger zone. if you’re outside, you need to guard against the sun. Those burning rays reflect off the water and sand onto you.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015, May 9). Water safety - CDC. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/bam/safety/water-safety.htm

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn about fitness, food and nutrition, exercise, disease, and safety. Take a quiz, play a game.