We’re calling on the community to share their shade stories – good, bad and everything in between.
We are seeking community feedback on the availability of shade at public outdoor places and open spaces in Western Australia. Seeking shade is an effective strategy to reduce the risk of skin cancers, and, when used in conjunction with other measures, enables maximum sun protection to be achieved.
However unlike other measures, shade is the one form of sun protection that individuals cannot always provide for themselves. This means they must rely on whatever shade is available which is, at times, limited. Effective shade can be created by a built structure or the natural environment. The benefits of shade from a skin cancer risk perspective are significant, with good quality shade reducing UV exposure by up to 75 percent.
The availability of shade has been cited as an important component in the design and creation of safe and healthy communities.