Temporal Trends in Sun Protective Behaviors in Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White Individuals in the United States

The study assessed trends in sun-protective behaviors among Non-Hispanic White (NHW) and Hispanic individuals in the U.S. using data from the 2005 and 2020 National Health Interview Surveys. It found that from 2005 to 2020, sun avoidance, sunscreen use, and sun-protective clothing use increased, while sunburn prevalence decreased in both groups. Although Hispanic participants had lower absolute sunscreen use, they showed higher odds of using sunscreen and sun-protective clothing, and lower odds of sunburn in 2020 compared to 2005, relative to NHW participants. These findings suggest that Hispanic individuals may be adopting sun-protective behaviors at faster rates than NHW individuals, despite a worsening disparity in melanoma-specific survival among Hispanics, indicating a need to address factors beyond primary prevention.