SUN PROTECTION BY FAMILIES AT THE BEACH

Background: During the last decade, results of surveys of adults showe d an increase in sun protection knowledge, a slight decline in the att itude that having a tan was healthy, widespread sunscreen use as the p rincipal method of solar protection, and an increase in sunburning. Me thods: During the summer of 1996, observers recorded the sun protectio n activities of 352 family groups as they arrived at the beach and did concurrent interviews. Results: Ninety-eight percent of families usin g sunscreen applied it after arrival at the beach and it was the domin ant form of sun protection used. Usually, the adult woman provided the sunscreen and applied it to a child before applying it to herself. Th e median delay in application from arrival at the beach to application to the last family member was 51 minutes. Wearing either a hat, shirt , or sunscreen by 1 adult was associated with wearing the same item by at least 1 child in the family group that, P<.001; shirt, P<.001; sun screen, P<.001). Children's sunscreen use was associated with having f air skin and a parent who used it. Conclusions: Because these with fai r skill type are more likely to use sunscreen and to burn after short periods of exposure, delay in sunscreen application may cause sunburns . While solar protection has become part of routine beach behaviors fo r most families, there is room for improvement with better application of sunscreen; more use of clothing, especially hats; and seeking shad e.