US survey finds worrying lack of sun-safety knowledge among young people
A third of Americans failed a basic quiz on sun exposure, with young adults fared the worst.
The survey, from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), was designed to measure the level of sun-safety knowledge of the population.
Generation Z (those born after 1996) demonstrated the lowest level of awareness about the dangers of sun exposure. 42% were unaware that tanning can cause skin cancer, while 41% didn’t know that ultraviolet rays are reflected by snow, water and sand. 33% didn’t think they could get sunburn on a cloudy day.
Millennials (those born between 1981 and 1996) didn’t do much better. 37% didn’t know that tanning can cause skin cancer, and 23% didn’t believe that sunburn increases the risk of developing skin cancer.
More than half of the entire survey population (1,000 adults) didn’t know that shade can protect them from the sun’s harmful rays, 35% believed that tanning is safe as long as you don’t burn; and 47% either believed or were unsure as to whether having a “base tan” prevents burning in the sun.
“These are striking results when it comes to younger generations’ knowledge about basic sun exposure,” said Dr Kenneth Tomecki, president of the AAD. “Gen Z and Millennials have a lifetime of potential damaging sun exposure ahead of them, so now is the time to close the knowledge gap and ensure they are aware of how easy it is to practice sun-safe behaviour.”
