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Solar UV measured under built-shade in public parks

URL
https://www.openicpsr.org/openicpsr/project/177661/
Description
This project contains the datasets and analysis files relevant to the article “Solar UV measured under built-shade in public parks: Findings from a randomized trial in Denver and Melbourne”. The article was accepted for publication in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (August 12, 2022).
 
Shade may provide important benefits for protecting the skin and eyes from solar ultraviolet radiation (UV). This study quantified UV levels under built-shade relative to unshaded passive recreation areas (PRAs) over summer months in two cities with comparable skin cancer rates; namely, Denver, Colorado, USA, 39.7392° N, 104.9903° W, and Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 37.8136° S, 144.9631° E.
 
Response Rate:   Not applicable. However, n=1 control park was excluded from the final datasets and analysis, following changes to the passive recreation area amenities during the course of the study.
Sampling:  A total of n = 144 study passive recreation areas (PRAs) suitable for a shade construction were enrolled in three annual waves in each city prior to pretest. City and municipal parks staff provided listings of public parks in their area. These parks were assessed for study eligibility by review of park audits and consultations with City/municipal staff. Following pretest, the study parks were randomized to intervention or control in a 1:3 ratio following pretest. Please refer to the study's published papers for further details.

 
Data Source:   A stratified randomized pretest–posttest controlled trial was conducted during 2010 to 2014. At pretest, using handheld UV meters n=1,144 UV measurements were carried out at the center and boundary (or periphery) of PRAs in a total sample of 144 public parks. Following pretest, shade was constructed at 36 PRAs and 108 PRAs remained unshaded. The UV measures were conducted at PRAs over two consecutive summers for three PRA recruitment waves in each city. Regression analyses modelled the pre-post change in UV levels (standard erythemal dose [SED] per 30 minutes) at PRAs; and environmental and design predictors.

 
Collection Mode(s):  coded on-site observation; other
Scales: UV Index; Standard Erythemal Dose
 

The following publications cite the data in this project.

  • Dobbinson, Suzanne Jane, David Bard Buller, James Andrew Chamberlain, Jody Simmons, and Mary Klein Buller. “Solar UV Measured under Built-Shade in Public Parks: Findings from a Randomized Trial in Denver and Melbourne.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, August 12, 2022.
     
     

The following publications relate in an unspecified way to the data in this project.

Buller, David B., Dallas R. English, Mary Klein Buller, Jody Simmons, James A. Chamberlain, Melanie Wakefield, and Suzanne Dobbinson. “Shade Sails and Passive Recreation in Public Parks of Melbourne and Denver: A Randomized Intervention.” American Journal of Public Health 107, no. 12 (December 2017): 1869–75. https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.2017.304071.
 
 
Buller, David B., Suzanne Dobbinson, Dallas R. English, Melanie Wakefield, and Mary Klein Buller. “Rationale, Design, and Baseline Data of a Cross-National Randomized Trial on the Effect of Built Shade in Public Parks for Sun Protection.” Contemporary Clinical Trials 55 (April 2017): 47–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cct.2017.02.005.
 
Dobbinson, Suzanne, Philippa Niven, David Buller, Martin Allen, Peter Gies, and Charles Warne. “Comparing Handheld Meters and Electronic Dosimeters for Measuring Ultraviolet Levels under Shade and in the Sun.” Photochemistry and Photobiology 92, no. 1 (January 2016): 208–14. https://doi.org/10.1111/php.12551.

 

Sample
Format
Series - completed
Country
Australia and United States
Title
Solar UV measured under built-shade in public parks
Format
Series - completed

Tools