The economic impact of acute sunburn.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the economic impact of sunburn in a beachgoing population during the summer.


METHODS
Survey.


METHODS
Galveston, Tex, beachfront.


METHODS
Convenience sample of 56 sunburned beachgoers. Intervention None.


METHODS
Days of work lost as a result of sunburn in the previous year.


RESULTS
Thirty-eight respondents (68%) reported painful sunburn. Sunscreen use did not prevent painful sunburn (23/38 [60%]). Those consuming alcohol at the beach had more severe sunburns than nondrinkers and had a higher frequency of analgesic use after sunburn (69% vs 26%, P =.007). Five men (5/18 [28%]) and 4 women (4/38 [10%]) missed a total of 9 and 8 days of work, respectively, because of sunburn within the prior year. Based on these findings and attendant assumptions, it is estimated that sunburn may account for as many as 92 720 lost workdays by Galveston beachgoers each year. The annual economic impact for lost work and treatment may exceed $10 million.


CONCLUSIONS
Sunburn is a costly and preventable skin injury.
Warthan
Molly M
MM
Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, tx 77555, USA.
Sewell
Daniel S
DS
Marlow
Robert A
RA
Warthan
Mandy L
ML
Wagner
Richard F
RF
D000041:Absenteeism; D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001493:Bathing Beaches / Q000191:economics; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000191:economics; D013471:Sunburn / Q000191:economics*; D013781:Texas; D013997:Time Factors