Over one-third of U.S. adults report more than one sunburn in previous 12 months

Article excerpt

Over one-third of U.S. adults have suffered at least one sunburn in the past year, according to research published in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. The finding underscores persistent gaps in sun safety practices among Americans despite decades of public health messaging about skin cancer risk. The data suggests that millions of adults continue to spend extended time in the sun without adequate protection, even as dermatologists warn that cumulative UV exposure significantly increases melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer risk. The CDC research adds to growing evidence that behavioral change around sun protection remains a major public health challenge.