Although one in five Americans will develop skin cancer by age 70, sunscreen use and knowledge remain low. Among St. Louis adults surveyed, only 17% reported using sunscreen when outside for 15 minutes or more during daylight hours. Just 32% felt that they understood the term SPF “very well.”
Nearly half of adults rarely or never used sunscreen
The survey of 542 adults in five states found that 46% of respondents “rarely” or “never” used sunscreen when outside for 15 minutes or more during daylight hours. Men were less likely to use sunscreen than women (55% rarely or never vs. 40%), as were African American respondents vs. whites (61% rarely or never vs 38%).
SPF (Sun Protection Factor) is poorly understood
SPF, or Sun Protection Factor, is the number on a bottle of sunscreen indicating the level of sun protection it provides. The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) considers SPF-15 the minimum to protect skin from the sun’s ultraviolet rays, although many doctors recommend SPF-30. Only 22% of respondents across the five states surveyed said they understood SPF “very well.”
Protect these 3 groups first
People with existing conditions like heart disease are at greater risk of heat stroke because their bodies often cannot handle the additional stress of high temperatures. Adults over 75 also struggle to stay cool because their sweat glands may be less responsive. Infants (< 1 year) are at increased risk because their body’s thermoregulation system is still developing.
Most concerning was the finding that respondents with children living in their homes were less likely to understand SPF “very well” than those without children in their homes (18% vs. 25%). Children are more sensitive to sun exposure than adults, and sunburns in childhood increase lifetime risk of skin cancer. Sun protection is especially important for kids; however, sunscreen is not recommended for infants under 6 months. The FDA recommends keeping babies out of the sun as the best protection. Understanding of SPF also differed by gender and racial groups. Men were less likely than women (16% vs. 26%), and African Americans were less likely than Whites (17% vs. 27%) to understand SPF “very well.”
Spread sunscreen knowledge
Sunscreen is essential for anyone spending time outside during hot St. Louis summers. Please share the resources below highlighting the importance of skin protection and what to look for in a sunscreen.
Click here to a view printable PDF about sun safety.
Survey information
This week’s report is based on responses from a panel of 542 adult residents of St. Louis, MO (n = 146), Texas (n = 53), Baltimore, MD (n = 169), Omaha, NE (n = 86), and Colorado (n = 88) surveyed June 15–17, 2024. Explore these data and more at iHeardSTL.
Download the graphics below to share about this topic.
Suggested Caption:
Understanding your sunscreen is essential for good sun protection! 🌞🧴 Make sure you choose the right SPF (30 and above), apply it correctly, and reapply often. Stay safe & stay protected!
#iHeardSTL #SunSafety #KnowYourSunscreen #HealthySkin
Suggested Caption:
Have you ever wondered about the difference between lotion and spray sunscreen? iHeard is here to help! Both are effective, but if you’re unsure about how to spray sunscreen on correctly, go with lotion.
#iHeardSTL #iHeardSTL #SunSafety #Sunscreen101
Suggested Caption:
SPF protects against ultraviolet (UV) radiation that can damage skin even on cloudy days. UVA rays can age skin, cause wrinkles and spots, and can pass through window glass. UVB rays are the primary cause of sunburn and can be blocked by window glass.
#iHeardSTL #SunSafety #KnowYourSunscreen #HealthySkin
