Does one’s geographic location influence their use of sun protection? A survey of 3,185 U.S. Residents

To determine if geographical differences exist in practice of sun protective behaviors across the United States, we performed a retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of data from the Health Information National Trends Survey 4 Cycle 3. Self-reported sun protective behaviors and demographic information were collected for individuals from nine regions across the United States in 2013. Regions followed United States census divisions, including New England, Middle Atlantic, East North Central, West North Central, South Atlantic, East South Central, West South Central, Mountain, and Pacific. Study participants included 3,185 people from nine census regions. Sun protection was uncommonly practiced in the United States. The use of sunscreen in the West North Central region was the lowest sun protective practice. Long pants were more commonly worn in the West South Central and the Pacific. Sun protective behavior rates are low for all geographic locations across the United States. Future public health campaigns should place less emphasis on geographical influences of sun protective behaviors and focus more so on comprehensive, nationwide sun prevention campaigns.