WELLINGTON, April 30 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand will invest 2 million NZ dollars (1.17 million U.S. dollars) to expand its national SunSmart program, aiming to curb one of the world's highest rates of skin cancer and melanoma, a senior official said Thursday.
The government and the Cancer Society will each contribute 1 million NZ dollars for the 2026-27 fiscal year to broaden public education and prevention efforts, targeting schools, workplaces and communities, including high-risk groups such as outdoor workers, Health Minister Simeon Brown said in a statement.
New Zealand records about 2,800 cases of invasive melanoma annually and treats an estimated 90,000 non-melanoma skin cancers, with around 500 deaths each year, according to official data.
The expanded program will promote sun-safety behaviors, commonly known as "slip, slop, slap and wrap," through web resources, social media, posters and pamphlets, the statement said.
Recent data show nearly two-thirds of New Zealanders reported sunburn last summer, with more than a quarter reporting severe cases, particularly among young adults.
"This investment builds upon the government's record investment in cancer medicines and treatments, including five new cancer medicines targeting skin cancer," Brown said. ■
