Deputy Surgeon General to Name Montclair 'SunSmartest' Town in America

Once again, Montclair residents are setting trends.

On May 4, Deputy U.S. Surgeon General Boris Lushniak will name Montclair the “SunSmartest Town in America,” the first time the designation has ever been given.

According to a release from the Live SunSmart Foundation, Montclair will become the first multi-component SunSmart Community in the nation, and will be the model program for other cities and towns to emulate, helping to develop best practices and tips for other neighboring municipalities.

The program will be conducted in concert with Montclair Township, the Montclair Public Schools district, Montclair State University and Hackensack-UMC Mountainside Hospital.

According to a release, Lushniak chose Montclair because of five factors, which conform with his 2014 Call to Action on Skin Cancer Prevention:

• Opportunities for sun protection in outdoor settings
• Providing individuals with information to make informed, healthy choices about UV exposure
• Promoting policies that advance the national goal of preventing skin cancer
• Reducing harm from indoor tanning
• Strengthening research, surveillance, monitoring and evaluation related to skin cancer prevention

“Increased awareness about the causes of skin cancer and its prevention is critical to staying safe in the sun while enjoying outdoor activities” said Township Manager Timothy Stafford.

“Montclair strives to be known throughout the country as a thought-leader, and this project will serve to prove that we continue to blaze the trail for innovation and quality of life enhancements for our residents,” said Mayor Robert Jackson.

Montclair - The SunSmartest Town in America v3 from Teri Festa

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