Newsroom | Community Health

Dr. Derek Robinson, Divisional Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer

Summer is a time for baseball games, picnics in the park and beach trips. All these activities are fun, but you need to be careful with sun exposure and its impact on your and your family’s health. 

Too much time in the sun can be harmful. Overexposure can lead to short-term problems such as sunburn. It also can lead to long-term health problems, including skin cancer, premature aging of the skin and eye damage.

Excessive sun exposure is harmful because of ultraviolet A and B rays in the light. These forms of solar radiation can lead to adverse health effects. UVA rays go deep into the skin and contribute to premature aging and increase skin cancer risk. The UVB rays don’t go far beyond the top layer of the skin, but they also can be damaging. UVB rays are the primary cause of sunburn. 

Too much sun can lead to:

Skin Cancer

This is one of the fastest rising cancers in the U.S. The most serious form of skin cancer is malignant melanoma, which can spread from the skin to other parts of the body. According to the America Cancer Society, malignant melanoma is expected to be diagnosed in more than 100,000 people in 2024. Try to plan your outdoor activities between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to avoid the sun’s strongest rays.

Skin Damage

The sun also can cause premature aging of the skin. Chronic sun exposure can cause skin to become thick, wrinkled and leathery. The sun can cause discoloration in skin tone. Always wear a sunscreen with at least SPF 15 even on cloudy days. Choose a sunscreen that blocks UVA and UVB rays. Reapply often, especially during peak sun hours or after swimming or sweating. 

Cataracts and Other Eye Damage

UV radiation increases chances of having eye damage such as skin cancer around the eyes, tissue growth that can block vision, deterioration of the retina (a painful burn of the cornea) and cataracts. A cataract is the clouding of the eye lens that, left untreated, can lead to blindness. Wear sunglasses that provide 100% UV ray protection. 

Immune System Suppression

Too much UV radiation exposure may suppress proper immune system function and make your body more vulnerable to infections and cancers. You may develop impaired immunization response and increased sunlight sensitivity. Wear protective coverings, such as hats, long pants and long-sleeved shirts to reduce exposure. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothes as much as possible. 

You can’t avoid the sun  — and who would want to. After all, the body needs sunlight to manufacture vitamin D. But that’s no reason to bake in the sun. It doesn’t take much sunlight to make all the vitamin D you can use. Stay safe in the sun so you can enjoy it in later years. 

^{The above material is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for the independent medical judgment of a physician. Physicians and other health care providers are encouraged to use their own best medical judgment based upon all available information and the condition of the patient in determining the best course of treatment. The fact that a service or treatment is described in this material is not a guarantee that the service or treatment is a covered benefit and members should refer to their certificate of coverage for more details, including benefits, limitations and exclusions. Regardless of benefits, the final decision about any service or treatment is between the member and their health care provider.}