Pharmacists in Canary Islands are promoting the Summer and Health campaign under the slogan “enjoy taking care of yourself,” aiming to encourage personal care and “eliminate the fear” caused by misinformation on social media.
The focus of this year’s campaign is to raise awareness of the risks of inadequate sun exposure, stated Loreto Gómez, the President of the Official College of Pharmacists of Las Palmas, who was accompanied by her colleague from Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Manuel Ángel Galván, during the campaign presentation.
Specifically, this year’s campaign will focus on tackling the misinformation spread through social media platforms that pose serious risks to public health. According to Loreto Gómez, “the summer started with controversies due to very dangerous claims made by influential figures on social media. In particular, we highlight the sun callus.”
The sun callus is a denialist theory that advocates for prolonged, controlled sun exposure without any protection, suggesting that the body creates its natural barrier to reject the harmful effects.
“Another misconception we have come across is the belief that the more expensive sunglasses are, the better. In the end, what matters is the sun filter and purchasing them from an approved healthcare establishment that guarantees product traceability,” pointed out the President of the Tenerife college.
The goal is to debunk myths
“This is another contribution to combat myths. Every Euro we invest in prevention will be Euros saved in treatment. Skin cancer ranks fourth in the Canary Islands,” highlighted Galván. “The efforts made in the Canaries, in the General Council of Official Colleges of Pharmacists, other healthcare professional colleges, central and regional administrations, and patient groups and associations are undermined when individuals without healthcare training or awareness of the damage they cause provide assurances that can lead to developing deadly diseases or irreversible harm, especially among the younger population.” Loreto Gómez noted, “It seems that young people are trivializing sun protection.”
Responding to recent indicators showing a lack of Vitamin D levels among Canarians, Gómez commented, “Of course, Vitamin D is activated by sun exposure. It seems contradictory that, living in the Canaries, there is such a high number of people with a deficiency of this vitamin. Just sunbathe at 10:00 or 11:00 am for 20 to 30 minutes on the face and arms. Claims stating that four hours are needed to activate Vitamin D are absurd.”
The campaign will be divided into four stages covering different topics: on July 10, awareness will be raised on sun protection and its consequences. On July 23, for a two-week period and as a new addition this year, focus will be on hearing problems, in addition to eye care. Finally, on August 6, the spotlight will be on medicinal plants to emphasise the importance of staying hydrated and not neglecting our diet.
The speakers concluded the presentation by emphasising the importance of protecting oneself against coronavirus: “We do not see masks on the street because they are not selling as many as the positive tests being conducted. Some individuals feeling unwell are not getting tested. Now, as we enter the festival season, i.e., gatherings, Covid-19 may be brewing, and people are susceptible to infection.” Covid-19 cases in the Canary Islands have risen, with more than 500 cases detected by the end of June, a higher number than recorded during the same period last year. Álvaro Torres, head of epidemiology at the Canarian Government, mentioned that the increase has been “modest” because in the Canaries, “we started with very few cases.” Nonetheless, the spike in infections has raised concerns among healthcare professionals. Torres clarified, “There is no impact on healthcare services,” highlighting that in the first week of June, there were 40 beds occupied by Covid-19 patients in the entire Canary Islands, with none of them requiring transfer to the ICU.” It is evident that the coronavirus never left our lives, and we have forgotten about it. | S.H.
