Why Florida
Florida receives among the highest annual UV exposure in the country. That makes it a leading state for outdoor lifestyle — and a leading state for skin cancer. Here's what families, educators, and students should know.
2×
Florida has roughly twice the national average rate of skin cancer.
#2
Florida ranks 2nd in the country for new melanoma cases each year.
~7,940
New melanoma cases diagnosed in Florida annually.
80%
of a person's lifetime UV exposure occurs before age 18.
Why Florida sees more UV
- Year-round sun. Unlike most states, Florida receives strong UV throughout the entire year, including winter months.
- Proximity to the equator. The lower the latitude, the more direct the angle of incoming UV.
- Reflective surfaces. Beaches, pools, lakes, and concrete reflect UV onto exposed skin — burns can occur even in the shade.
- Outdoor lifestyle. Sports, beach time, parks, and outdoor school activities mean Florida students accumulate more UV exposure than peers in most states.
Five or more sunburns before age 20 can double the lifetime risk of melanoma.
The encouraging news
- Roughly 90% of skin cancers are preventable through sun-protective habits.
- Schools that integrate sun-safety education have shown meaningful reductions in dangerous UV exposure among students. Modeling studies suggest population-level skin cancer rates could fall by up to 78% in future generations if sun safety were a routine part of curricula.
- Students who learn about sun safety are roughly 50% more likely to use sunscreen regularly — and often influence household habits as well.
This means students, families, and educators have outsized leverage: each habit established, each conversation, each protected day adds up at the community level.
What to do — starting today
- Check the UV Index each morning.
- Make sunscreen part of the morning routine.
- Consider a UPF rash guard for pool, beach, or boat time.
- Wear a wide-brim hat at recess and during outdoor sports.
- Schedule a monthly skin self-check using the ABCDE rule.
- Share what you learn with family, classmates, and colleagues.
Sources: American Cancer Society · Florida Department of Health · American Academy of Dermatology · CDC · International Journal of Cancer (2017)