SUNBATHING HABITS AND SUNSCREEN USE AMONG WHITE ADULTS - RESULTS OF ANATIONAL SURVEY

Objectives. This study assessed current levels of sunbathing and sunsc reen use in the United States. Methods. From a general-population tele phone survey of aquatic activities among adults in 3042 US households, we examined responses by the 2459 Whites. Results. Most adults (59%) reported sunbathing during the past year, and 25% reported frequent su nbathing. Of the subsample who reported sunbathing during the month be fore the interview, 47% routinely used sunscreen. Of these individuals , almost half did not use sunscreens with a solar protection factor of 15 or higher. Conclusions. About a quarter of US White adults report frequent sunbathing, and only about a quarter of sunbathers use sunscr eens at recommended levels. These results should help focus future sun protection educational efforts.