Town of Hempstead officials, Mount Sinai South Nassau administrators visit Bay Park to announce summer sunscreen initiative

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Town of Hempstead officials and Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital in Oceanside have partnered to implement complimentary sunscreen dispensers at town-operated beaches and pool complexes.

Officials from both entities joined together on June 30 at Hewlett Point Park in East Rockaway to announce the initiative. Hewlett Point Park is one of 23 Town of Hempstead recreational facilities that will offer SPF 30 sunscreen via dispensers at no cost to the public as part of a joint initiative between the town and hospital to promote sun safety.

“It is vitally important that members of the public take sun safety precautions while enjoying our beautiful Town of Hempstead beaches, pools and parks,” Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin said, according to a news release. “The addition of these dispensers containing complimentary sunscreen at area recreational facilities is a palpable step America’s largest township is taking to safeguard pool visitors and beachgoers against overexposure to the sun.”

Dr. Adhi Sharma, MSSN’s chief medical officer and executive vice president of clinical and professional affairs, said it was the fourth year that the hospital partnered with the town for this initiative.

“Mount Sinai South Nassau’s promise to the communities and residents of the South Shore is to ensure that they always have convenient access to high-quality, compassionate medical and health care services,” Sharma said, according to a news release. “This program is a small, but important example of our enduring commitment to fulfilling that promise.”

The joint effort is part of an ongoing educational initiative spearheaded by the Town of Hempstead to spread awareness about the harmful effects of overexposure to the sun.  Large amounts of unprotected sun exposure can potentially lead to damaging health conditions such as skin cancer — the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the U.S., according to the Department of Health & Human Services, with more than 5 million people treated each year.

The rollout of the new sunscreen dispensers is ongoing at several township pools and beaches.

“The science surrounding sun safety is abundantly clear — wear sunscreen, and plenty of it,” Clavin said, according to the release.  “With the implementation of these dispensers and the complimentary sunscreen they offer, members of the public are now able to enjoy many of Hempstead Town’s pristine beaches, sprawling parks and cool pools knowing they are within reach of potentially lifesaving sunscreen.”

 

Courtesy Town of Hempstead; compiled by Mike Smollins