What is Pool Cool?

Who sponsors this program?

Pool Cool is a sun-safety education program especially designed for use at swimming pools. Its main objective is to increase awareness, motivation, and sun protection practices among children ages 5-10 who take swimming lessons, their parents, aquatics staff, and other pool users.  The Pool Cool program has been evaluated in several studies, and the name Pool Cool has been used for multiple research projects.

The Pool Cool Sun-Safety Program is conducted by the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University (www.sph.emory.edu) in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (www.nrpa.org). It is funded by a grant from the National Cancer Institute (www.nci.nih.gov) Grant CA 92505.

Pool Cool Diffusion Trial

Sun Exposure and Sun Protection Habits

Study

Pool Cool Plus for Lifeguards

Aim – Evaluate the effects of two strategies for program diffusion on:

• Program implementation, maintenance, and sustainability
• Organizational and environmental supports for sun safety
• Child sun protection habits and sunburn

Aim – Test the validity of self-report measures of:

• Sunscreen Use
• Sun Exposure
• Sun Protection Habits

Aim – Evaluate new strategies for improving sun-safety among lifeguards, including:

• Motivational Appeals
• Policy and Environment Changes
• A Peer-Driven Approach

• Research: As a research-based program, the Pool Cool program has been through many different phases. Read about the history of the program, from the initial pilot study, through widespread diffusion and validation of study measures. Read more!

• Pool Cool At Your Pool: Learn how to implement the Pool Cool program at your pool and download free program materials.

• Publications: Read about the exciting results of our research!  Our publications page has been updated with links to all published Pool Cool research articles.