Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 23, 2025

Pharmacologic Induction of Epidermal Melanin and Protection Against Sunburn in a Humanized Mouse Model
Published on: September 7, 2013
Trends in Sunscreen Use Among US Middle and High School Students, 2007-2019
Geethanjali Rajagopal1, Rachna Talluri1, Valerie S Chuy1
1Internal Medicine, University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, USA.
Objective:
The purpose of this project is to analyze trends in sunscreen usage among middle and high school students from the Centers of Disease Control's National Youth Risk Behavior Surveys (YRBS) from the years 2007 to 2019.
Methods:
Data from the 2007-2019 National YRBS were analyzed. YRBS is a cross-sectional survey of health risk behaviors among middle and high school students (grades 6-12) in the United States. Students were asked questions regarding sunscreen usage and demographic information, including age, race/ethnicity, and gender.
Results:
From 2007 to 2019, the average mean sunscreen usage for all students increased by 4% between every consecutive year studied. Mean sunscreen usage among all racial groups studied, other than Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders, increased. Females were 92.7% more likely to use sunscreen than males each year. The mean sunscreen usage decreased by 5% with an increase in a student's age.
Conclusions:
Though overall sunscreen use in adolescents increased over the time period from 2007 to 2019, sunscreen use still remains limited due to a variety of factors possibly including cost, tanning, and different socio-cultural perceptions of sunscreen.
Related Concept Videos
Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives
Albinism
Albinism is a genetic disorder that affects (completely or partially) the coloring of skin, hair, and eyes. The defect is primarily...
Longitudinal Research
Pigmentation
Melanin occurs in two primary forms: eumelanin that provides black and brown pigment and pheomelanin that provides red color. Dark-skinned individuals produce more melanin than those with pale...
Skin Cancer
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
Cross-Sectional Research
Role of Skin in Vitamin D Synthesis
The solar UV B rays (290-315 nm) are absorbed by the skin, and 7-dehydrocholesterol (provitamin D3) photolyzes it to previtamin D3, which undergoes a rapid transformation to vitamin...

