Survey Finds 45% of Americans Already Sunburnt This Year

Recent survey results from ValuePenguin found that the rate for sunburn is higher among the younger generations, specifically 61% of Gen Zers and 58% of millennials, according to a press release.

Sun protection etiquette is still low in practice, with many Americans not wearing sunscreen daily. In particular, 82% reported that they do not wear sunscreen every day in the summer whereas 64% typically wear sunscreen 5 to 6 days a week.

In terms of getting checked for skin cancer, half of the survey participants are not confident they can detect a cancerous mole themselves and most have not visited a doctor for a professional skin exam. Approximately 45% do not think they could detect a cancerous mole on their body, and around the same percentage (43%) have never been given a full skin exam.

Cost concerns play a major role in sun protection, with more than a third of respondents (35%) reporting they have not done so due to cost concerns. Additionally, 43% did not know funds from a health savings account (HSAs) or flexible spending account (FSAs) could be used towards sunscreen purchases.

"People may think of contributions as money leaving their pockets since it is taken from their salary before taxes," said ValuePenguin insurance analyst Sterling Price in a press release. "But they need to realize that the money in that account can actually be used for a ton of items that they might be buying anyway."

The online survey was conducted between June 18 to June 22, 2021 and analyzed 1048consumers in the United States using a nonprobability-based sample. Generations were defined as the following ages:

• Generation Z: 18 to 24 years
• Millennial: 25 to 40 years
• Generation X: 41 to 55 years
• Baby boomer: 56 to 75 years

REFERENCE

45% of Americans have already been sunburned this year. ValuePenguin. July 12, 2021. Accessed July 14, 2021. https://www.valuepenguin.com/skin-care-survey