Study: Over Half of Sunburns Occur Despite Sunscreen Use

A CDC and National Cancer Institute analysis of 2024 National Health Interview Survey data estimates that 88.1 million U.S. adults experienced a sunburn in the past year. Around 55.1 percent of respondents said their most recent sunburn occurred even though they had applied sunscreen.

Key Findings from the 2024 Survey

Researchers concluded that education about proper sunscreen use is needed. The study states that sunburn remains the primary modifiable risk factor for skin cancer. Skin cancer is the most diagnosed form of cancer in the United States, with around 6 million adults treated annually.

Proper Sunscreen Application Requirements

The study notes that sunscreen must be used properly and reapplied frequently to prevent sunburn. The Food and Drug Administration states the average person needs one ounce, about the amount that fills a shot glass, to cover the body evenly.

Additional Sun Safety Recommendations

The FDA recommends limiting time in the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., wearing long-sleeved shirts, pants, sunglasses and broad-brimmed hats, and using broad-spectrum sunscreens with SPF 15 or higher. Sunscreen should be reapplied at least every two hours and more often when sweating or swimming.

The study was published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report according to Safety+Health Magazine. The findings are based solely on the 2024 survey responses analyzed by the CDC and National Cancer Institute according to Safety+Health Magazine.