Awareness and Use of the Ultraviolet Index Among U.S. Adults

Abstract

The Ultraviolet Index is a tool that can be used to reduce sun exposure and skin cancer risk. However, little is known about awareness and use of the Ultraviolet Index among U.S. adults. This study addresses this gap via a descriptive analysis of cross-sectional data from the 2020 Porter Novelli SummerStyles survey (N = 4,053) weighted to match the U.S. non-institutionalized adult population. Over 75% of respondents had seen or heard about the Ultraviolet Index from sources such as television (54.7%), a weather app (40.0%), or the radio (15.1%). However, only 6.7% of respondents had actively checked the Ultraviolet Index in the past month and reported that doing so prompted them to use sunscreen (73.9%), seek shade (57.4%), and/or limit time outside when the Ultraviolet Index was high (53.4%). Findings suggest that efforts to increase the use of the Ultraviolet Index could help to support and encourage sun-safe behaviors.