Sunburns are a major contributor to skin cancer risk, yet many people continue to get sunburned, with some experiencing multiple episodes each year. A recent study found that more than 30% of adults reported between one and five sunburns in the past year, and alcohol consumption was linked to an increased risk, with 21% of people who got sunburned having consumed alcohol at the time.

Researchers analyzed data from the 2022 Health Information National Trends Survey, which included more than 6,200 participants. They used statistical analysis to identify associations between sociodemographic factors, cancer risk perceptions, sun exposure behaviors, and the number of sunburns reported in the previous 12 months.

They found that 2.1% of participants reported more than six sunburns, 30.3% had between one and five, and 67.6% experienced none. Alcohol consumption was a contributing factor, with 21.5% of those who reported a sunburn also having consumed alcohol. Younger adults (aged 18 to 39) were more likely to experience sunburns than older adults, and men were at higher risk than women. Additionally, higher-income participants were more likely to get sunburned, with people in the highest income bracket more than four times as likely to report at least one sunburn in the past year.

These findings suggest that public health interventions should focus on groups most at risk for sunburns, including younger adults, men, and higher-income people. Addressing alcohol consumption during sun exposure could also help reduce sunburn incidence. Sunscreens can protect against sunburns, but some carry health risks. Learn more in this Q&A featuring Dr. Rhonda Patrick.