Skin cancer prevention messages on social media
Skin cancer on social media: Analyzing current communications, modeling diffusion potential, and developing innovative prevention-focused messages
['FUNDING_R01'] · TRUSTEES OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY · NIH-11181615
This project will create and test social media messages to help teens and young adults avoid risky tanning and protect their skin.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | TRUSTEES OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BLOOMINGTON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11181615 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers will first review and map skin cancer–related posts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to understand what messages are circulating. They will build a computer model to predict which prevention messages are likely to spread and why. Using those insights, the team will design clear, up-to-date prevention posts and pilot them with adolescents and young adults to see which messages engage and influence behavior. The work combines social media analysis, predictive modeling, and small-scale testing with young people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are adolescents and young adults who use social media regularly and may engage in tanning or inconsistent sun protection.
Not a fit: People who do not use social media, are outside the adolescent/young adult age range, or already have a diagnosed skin cancer are less likely to benefit directly from the messaging work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could produce social media messages that reduce indoor/outdoor tanning and increase sunscreen use among teens and young adults, lowering future skin cancer risk.
How similar studies have performed: Prior public-health social media campaigns have sometimes changed awareness and behavior, but applying predictive diffusion models specifically to skin cancer prevention for young people is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
BLOOMINGTON, UNITED STATES
- TRUSTEES OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY — BLOOMINGTON, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: WALSH-BUHI, ERIC RICHARD — TRUSTEES OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: WALSH-BUHI, ERIC RICHARD
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions: Cancer Prevention Intervention, Cancers