Citation

Brown TT, Quain RD, Troxel AB, Gelfand JM. J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. 2006; 55(4): 577-583.

Affiliation

University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jaad.2006.05.029

PMID

17010735

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Sunburn is a major preventable risk factor for skin cancer. OBJECTIVE: We investigated risk factors for sunburn in the United States based on the 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. DESIGN AND METHODS: A random sample of 207,776 respondents provided data for the population-based survey. The main outcome measure was any report of sunburn within the previous 12 months. RESULTS: Overall, 39% of respondents had at least one sunburn. The strongest factors associated with sunburn were age and socioeconomic factors. Sunburn prevalence was greatest in respondents 18 to 24 years old (61%). This group was more likely to have a sunburn than respondents 45 to 54 years of age (odds ratio [OR] = 2.76). Higher income and higher levels of education were positively associated with sunburn (OR 1.67 and 1.63, respectively). Individuals reporting recent binge drinking had a higher prevalence of sunburn (OR = 1.33). LIMITATIONS: The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System does not include data on skin type or sun protection behavior; therefore the impact of these factors was not assessed. CONCLUSION: Sunburn occurs at a very high rate in the United States.

Language: en