Telehealth Intervention Improves Sun Protection Behaviors in Children of Melanoma Survivors
Key Takeaways
A randomized clinical trial involving 364 melanoma survivor–child dyads found that a telehealth-based intervention did not significantly reduce childhood sunburn over time compared with an active educational control.
Children receiving the FLARE intervention demonstrated significantly greater improvements in sun-protective behaviors (P < 0.001) and reported fewer sunburns at the first postintervention assessment (P = 0.01).
The findings suggested family-based melanoma prevention education can improve sun protection practices, although additional approaches may be necessary.
A family-based telehealth intervention significantly improved sun-protective behaviors among children of melanoma survivors but failed to reduce sunburn over time, according to findings from a randomized study published in JAMA Dermatology.
Thye study sought to evaluate whether the family, lifestyles, actions, and risk education (FLARE) intervention could improve sun protection and reduce sunburn among children at elevated melanoma risk. Researchers enrolled 364 melanoma survivor–child dyads in the analysis between April 2020 and October 2023. Eligible children were aged 8 to 17 years and had experienced at least 1 sunburn during the preceding year. Participants were randomized to FLARE (n = 180) or an active educational control (n = 184). Both groups completed telehealth education modules over 4 weeks. FLARE emphasized familial melanoma risk and sun-protection skills, while the control provided general skin cancer education and guidance on identifying reputable health information.
FLARE Intervention Improves Sun Protection, Not Long-Term Sunburn Outcomes
The analysis found no significant between-group difference in sunburn rates over time. Children receiving FLARE, however, reported fewer sunburns at the first postintervention assessment (B = −0.17; 95% CI, −0.30 to −0.04; P = 0.01). FLARE also produced greater improvements in sun-protective behaviors through the second postintervention assessment (B = 0.26; 95% CI, 0.14-0.38; P < 0.001). Neither intervention affected intentional or unintentional tanning.
The absence of sustained sunburn reductions, despite behavioral improvements, underscores the intervention's limitations.
"In this randomized clinical trial, FLARE failed to reduce child sunburn over time compared with an active educational control," the authors wrote. "Although FLARE improved sun-protective behaviors and was associated with lower child-reported sunburn immediately postintervention, additional strategies may be needed for sustained reductions in high-risk children."
Source
Wu YP, et al. JAMA Dermatology. 2026. Doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2026.3877