Work

Sunburn Awareness and Post‐Exposure Symptoms in Self‐Identified People of Color: A Cross‐Sectional Survey

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Fitzpatrick skin phototype | general dermatology | people of color | skin of color | skin tone | sunburn | UV exposureAlthough people of color (POC) experience a lower incidence of skin cancer, morbidity and mortality are often higher due to delayed diagnosis and underrecognition of sun injury [1,2].Sunburn is a common precursor to ultraviolet (UV) damage; however, how sunburn symptoms are perceived and labeled among POC remains poorly studied.This cross-sectional survey assessed sunburn awareness and post-sun exposure symptoms among POC.Recognizing the limitations of current terminology, phenotype-based skin classification systems, and substantial heterogeneity of skin tone within racial/ethnic groups [3], participant inclusion as POC was based on self-identification rather than exclusion by race or ethnicity.English-speaking U.S. adults were recruited via ResearchMatch and large public Facebook community groups to complete an online REDCap questionnaire assessing demographics, selfidentified race/ethnicity, self-reported skin tone using the Monk Skin Tone (MST) scale, and Fitzpatrick skin phototype.Participants were asked, "Have you ever experienced a sunburn?" with options frequently, sometimes, rarely, or never.Participants were also asked, "Have you experienced any of the following after sun exposure?"with options including redness, peeling, scaliness, dryness, blistering, pain on touch, itching, irritation, headaches, hot or warm skin, development of darker skin, or none.Additional items assessed tanning potential and dermatology visit history.Among 2330 ResearchMatch respondents, 64% (1498) accepted the invitation.1069 (71%) participants completed the survey.Demographics were comparable to ResearchMatch and U.S. census benchmarks across age, race, and sex.Data were analyzed in R using chi-square and Fisher's exact tests.Among 1069 respondents, 372 (35%) self-identified as POC: 184 Black or African American, 76 mixed, 61 Asian, 31 White, 6 Native American, 2 Pacific Islander, and 12 other.Hispanic/ Latino ethnicity was reported by 69 POC respondents, including individuals identifying as mixed race (n = 44) and White (n = 25).All MST tones (1-10) were represented among POC (mean 5.29, SD 1.66), though 33% (123) felt the MST scale did not accurately capture their tone.

Source: International Journal of Dermatology

DOI: 10.1111/ijd.70340

Authors: Briana Williams, Liliana Guerrero, Fabiola Moreno Echevarria, Jennifer Shastry, Roopal V. Kundu

Institution: Northwestern University

Language: English

Topic: Skin Protection and Aging

Subfield: Dermatology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,150