Back-to-school sun protection tips keep children covered

NEW YORK – As summer winds down and the busy back-to-school season sets in, sun protection may slip down the list of health and wellness priorities. But harmful ultraviolet rays are present year-round, and one study notes that children sustain a significant amount of sun exposure at school. About 23 percent of lifetime UV exposure occurs before the age of 18, and this exposure can have far-reaching effects.

“Sun damage is cumulative, so sun exposure during childhood can contribute to skin cancer risk later in life,” Dr. Deborah S. Sarnoff, president of The Skin Cancer Foundation, said. “The be...