Trial results for the Virtual Sun Safe Workplaces (SSW Works) program, aimed at reducing Skin Cancer risk, were posted on 2026-03-19. The study indicated improved employee sun protection practices, with one measurement showing a mean score of 3.55 in the SSW Works group compared to 3.30 in the control group.
Background
Americans who work outdoors face significant exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation over their lifetime, which substantially increases their risk for developing skin cancer. Effective interventions are crucial to mitigate this occupational hazard. The Sun Safe Workplaces (SSW) intervention aims to provide employers with tools to promote sun safety among their outdoor workers. This trial investigated the effectiveness of a virtual learning environment (VLE) designed to distribute the SSW intervention, making it more accessible to American employers and their employees.
Trial design
This completed study, designated as Phase NA, enrolled 543 participants. The trial focused on individuals at risk for Skin Cancer due to Occupational Exposure. The intervention, named SSW Works, utilized a virtual learning environment (VLE) to deliver the Sun Safe Workplaces program. The trial aimed to test the effectiveness of the full SSW Works program at improving sun protection behaviors among outdoor workers. The comparator arm received minimal information.
Key results
The trial measured changes from baseline in employee sun protection practices and sunburn prevalence at 1 year:
- Change From Baseline Employee Sun Protection Practices at 1 Year (Measurement 1):
- SSW Works group: Mean score of 3.55 (Standard Deviation 0.699) on a scale.
- Minimal Information Control group: Mean score of 3.30 (Standard Deviation 0.722) on a scale.
- Change From Baseline Employee Sun Protection Practices at 1 Year (Measurement 2):
- SSW Works group: Mean score of 3.71 (Standard Deviation 0.661) on a scale.
- Minimal Information Control group: Mean score of 3.46 (Standard Deviation 0.599) on a scale.
- Percentage Change From Baseline Employee Sunburn Prevalence at 1 Year (Count 1):
- SSW Works group: 90 Participants.
- Minimal Information Control group: 91 Participants.
- Percentage Change From Baseline Employee Sunburn Prevalence at 1 Year (Count 2):
- SSW Works group: 35 Participants.
- Minimal Information Control group: 23 Participants.
What this means
The results suggest that the Virtual Sun Safe Workplaces (SSW Works) program can effectively improve sun protection practices among employees. The higher mean scores for sun protection practices in the SSW Works group, such as 3.55 and 3.71, compared to the control group's 3.30 and 3.46, indicate a positive impact of the virtual intervention. While the data on sunburn prevalence is presented as participant counts rather than direct percentage changes, the overall findings support the potential of virtual learning environments to deliver public health interventions. This approach could be a valuable tool for employers seeking to reduce the occupational risk of skin cancer among their outdoor workforce by promoting better sun safety behaviors.
Source
The information regarding these trial results was obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov, a public database of clinical studies. The results for the study NCT05774600, titled "Virtual Sun Safe Workplaces Ph II (SSW Works)", were posted on 2026-03-19 on clinicaltrials.gov.