Solar-powered sun protection for outdoor workers
Official title: SOLAR: Promoting Skin Cancer Prevention Among Outdoor Workers
Funded at Georgetown University · NIH-11441140 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A short project to help outdoor workers prevent skin cancer by using a tailored, story-based video and workplace actions to increase sun protection.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Georgetown University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $401,115 |
| NIH project number | 1R21CA318844-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11441140 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Outdoor workers at risk of skin cancer and their employers or supervisors.
✕Less likely to help
Workers or workplaces not engaged in outdoor settings or not interested in changing sun-safety practices may not benefit.
What this research studies
Outdoor workers face a much higher risk of skin cancer from sun exposure, and many workplaces don’t have sun-safety practices. This project uses a narrative video called Miguel Takes Charge to teach proper sunscreen use, protective clothing, and how to create a sun-safe workplace culture. Built on behavioral theories and community input, the approach aims to make sun protection easier and more accepted at work. The study will explore how acceptable and useful the video is for workers and employers and identify steps to implement workplace sun-safety programs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could help outdoor workers reduce skin cancer risk by improving sun protection habits at work.
How similar studies have gone: Prior similar work using storytelling and workplace engagement showed positive reception and potential for behavior change, but this exact video-based approach is being tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Georgetown University
Washington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hurtado de Mendoza Casaus, Alejandra — Georgetown University
- Study coordinator: Hurtado de Mendoza Casaus, Alejandra
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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.