Where Are Adults Getting Sunburned?

Water-related activities were the most commonly reported setting for recent sunburn, while more than one-half of respondents reported sunscreen use at the time of their most recent sunburn.

By
Kathryn Wighton
June 29, 2026
4 min

MDSpire News

1

In 2024, 35% of US adults reported at least one sunburn in the past year, equating to approximately 88.1 million individuals.
2

The most common context for sunburn was spending time in, on, or near water, reported by 61% of those who experienced sunburn.
3

Among adults aged 18 to 29 years, 46% reported at least one sunburn, compared to 17% of those aged 65 years or older.
4

Women were more likely than men to report sunburns occurring while using sunscreen or intentionally tanning.
5

The study noted limitations, including reliance on self-reported data and the inability to draw causal conclusions.

Original Source(s)

Mdspire News

Where Are Adults Getting Sunburned?

by Kathryn Wighton
June 29, 2026

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