American Skin Association Receives Major Grant From Galderma to Create New Education Initiative for Tweens and Teens

NEW YORK, July 22 /PRNewswire/ -- American Skin Association has received major funding from Galderma Laboratories to create a ground-breaking new education initiative entitled The Skin You're In.  Developed with Scholastic, the global children's publishing, education and media company, the program will provide more than 3 million students (ages 11-15) and 4.5 million parents with the latest information on acne, atopic dermatitis and sun safety.

Starting this fall, more than 48,000 educators in 15,000 public schools from coast to coast will receive The Skin You're In educational materials for free.  The program builds on the success of The Wonders of Skin: Looking Good, Being Healthy, the award-winning program developed by American Skin Association in partnership with The New York Academy of Medicine.  This year marks the 10th anniversary of The Wonders of Skin, which, to date, has provided free instruction on good skin health to students and teachers (Grades K-12) in 22 states and Washington, DC.

American Skin Association Chairman Howard P. Milstein emphasizes, "We're deeply grateful to Galderma Laboratories for funding this special initiative.  Adolescence is an opportune time to teach the vital importance of sun safety and best practices."

"Today, we know that skin cancer is a largely preventable condition, provided children and their parents are aware, informed and take the proper steps to be safe in the sun," said Barbara A. Gilchrest, MD, Chair of American Skin Association's Medical Advisory Committee.

According to ASA, 28% of female teens and 14% of male teens say they never use sun block, which is key to skin cancer prevention.  In addition, more than 80% of adolescents develop acne which can be both prevented and treated.

"As dermatologists, educators and advocates for skin health, we are strongly committed to helping young people prevent and manage both acne and atopic dermatitis, which so often have serious implications for adolescents' healthy development and evolving sense of self worth," explained American Skin Association Founder and President George W. Hambrick, Jr., MD.

"We are delighted to be a part of this innovative initiative and hope our involvement will inspire others – particularly within the corporate community", said Humberto C. Antunes, CEO of Galderma International and Co-Chair of ASA's Education Council.  "We're grateful that ASA is spearheading public awareness about the importance of good skin health among today's school children and parents," underscored Francois Fournier, President, Galderma Laboratories, USA and Canada.

The Skin You're In will be distributed by Scholastic to middle school classrooms in mid-September and includes educational materials for students, teachers and parents including: free classroom poster, lesson plans, and a class set of take-homes that deliver the latest information on acne, sun safety and protection, and atopic dermatitis, all of special relevance to tweens and teens.

All materials will align with national standards for health education and, wherever possible, link to activities and lessons in The Wonders of Skin: Looking Good, Being Healthy.

ABOUT AMERICAN SKIN ASSOCIATION

Led by patients, families and their advocates working with the nation's foremost physicians and scientists, American Skin Association has evolved into an increasingly influential leader in efforts to defeat melanoma and other serious forms of skin disease.  For over two decades, its mission has remained to advance research, champion skin health – particularly among young people, and raise public awareness about skin cancer and disease.  For more information, visit www.americanskin.org

ABOUT SCHOLASTIC

For more information about Scholastic, visit our media room at http://mediaroom.scholastic.com

SOURCE American Skin Association