Sun protection among 18-75 aged in France: knowledge, opinion and use of methods in 2021

Incidence of cutaneous melanoma and prevalence of operated cortical cataract are rising in France. The most preventable risk factor is the excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The objective of this study is to evaluate knowledge and opinion concerning the risk of UV exposure and sun-protective behaviors during summertime. The French Health Barometer is a cross-sectional repeated survey conducted by the French Public Health Agency, interviewing the population living in France about their health-related knowledge, behaviors and perceptions. In 2021, the sample was selected by random digit dialing, and 24 514 persons aged 18-85 years old and living in mainland France (response rate =44.3%) were interviewed by phone. Among those, 22,625 people aged 18-75 years old were questioned between February and December 2021. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were weighted to take into account the selection probability and the structure of the French population.

Half (50.7% [49,9-51,6]) indicate that the most dangerous hours of exposure are between 12 noon and 4 p.m. in mainland France. Staying in the shade was the most frequently reported protective measure (72.2% [71.4-72.9]) with avoiding the sunniest hours (67.7% [66.9-68.5]) or wearing sunglasses (73.2% [72.4-74.0]), while wearing a hat/cap (56.1% [55.3-57.0]) and wearing clothes was the least common one (27.2% [26.4-27.9]) with applying sunscreen every two hours (35.6% [34.8-36.3]). Regarding opinions about sunburns, 33.2% [32.4-34.0] believed that during childhood are inconsequential to adulthood and 17.7% [17.0%-18.4%] that they prepare the skin for the sun, making it less vulnerable. Males, younger people (aged 18-24), those with low levels of education or born out of mainland France make less use of sun-protective methods and have less knowledge of sun risks.

In order to reduce excessive exposure to UV rays, sun safety messages should be updated and better tailored to different target populations.

Key messages

• While incidence of skin cancer continues to rise in mainland France with climate change, efforts to understand drivers of sun-protective behaviors and targeted intervention efforts are needed.

• UV exposure must be considered in parallel with policies aimed at addressing other health priorities, such as nutrition or physical activity promotion.