Tuesday, 28 January 2025 08:52 GMT

Re “The hidden cost of school uniforms,” by Rachael Smith (School Health Pulse Evidence brief, December 3rd)

Dear Editor,

Kia ora from Aotearoa New Zealand.

Ryan et al’s study highlights the hidden costs of uniform design on students’ spontaneous playground games, timetabled PE or active transport for the school journey, especially for girls. However, I’d like to draw attention to another crucial aspect of school uniform design—safety.

While we’re making compulsory uniform garments inclusive, and encouraging of physical activity, we can also easily design clothing to keep students safe from known environmental hazards. For example, in New Zealand the hole in the ozone layer allows in high levels of UV rays from October to March. UV exposure increases the likelihood of sunburn, an avoidable risk factor for melanoma which is among the most common cancers here.   

Simply adding a few extra centimetres on t-shirt arm length, choosing a collared shirt and wider brimmed hat protect against the worst of UV exposure in summer. This is a simple, inexpensive way to avoid the costs of skin damage, reducing the future burden of skin cancers (1).  

Dr Johanna Reidy

Wellington, New Zealand

1.  Gage R, Leung W, Stanley J, Reeder A, Mackay C, Smith M, et al. Sun Protection Among New Zealand Primary School Children. Heal Educ Behav [Internet]. 2018;45(5):800–7. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1177/1090198117741943

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