Sunburn risk

Nature

Only a fraction of adults can accurately assess the risk of sunburn. People with pale skin which tends not to tan are most at risk from UV radiation. But even those with black skin are at some risk from prolonged exposure to very high UV levels. The elderly are most at risk as they are least likely to understand warnings about high UV levels and sunburn risk.

Claim

Sunburn risk is a critical public health issue that demands urgent attention. With rising UV radiation levels and a culture that often glorifies tanning, the dangers of sunburn are frequently underestimated. Sunburn not only causes immediate pain and discomfort but also significantly increases the risk of skin cancer later in life. It is imperative that we prioritize education and prevention strategies to protect our skin and health. Ignoring this issue could have devastating long-term consequences for individuals and society.

Counter-claim

A study in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) (February 2000) says the danger of dying from skin cancer has been exaggerated and the potential benefits from the sun played down. The study says there is evidence that lack of vitamin D, which is linked to exposure to the sun, can cause bone problems, including childhood rickets, may reduce multiple sclerosis and depression and can treat skin conditions like psoriasis.

Broader

Environmental hazards of solar radiation

Metadata

Database

World problems

Type

(D) Detailed problems

Biological classification

N/A

Content quality

Unpresentable

Language

English

1A4N

J5881

DOCID

12058810

D7NID

173952

Last update

May 19, 2022