title: Environmental variables associated with vacationers' sun protection at warm weather resorts in North America.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vacationing at sunny, warm weather locations is a risk factor for excessive solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure and skin cancer.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study examined the association of environmental variables related to UV levels with vacationers' sun protection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Vacationers at 41 summer resorts in 17 states and 1 Canadian Province were interviewed (n=3531) and observed (N=4347) during 2012 and 2013. Clothing coverage, sunglasses, and shade use were observed. Use of sunscreen and sunburns were self-reported. Environmental information was recorded by research staff or acquired from ground stations and the weather service.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Temperature was positively associated with sun protection behaviors; however clothing coverage was negatively associated with temperature. Cloud cover was negatively associated with sun protection, with the exception of clothing coverage which was positively associated with it. Elevation showed a mixed pattern of associations with vacationer's sun protection. Latitude of a resort was negatively associated with most sun protection behaviors, such that sun protection increased at more southerly resorts. Similarly, the farther south a vacationer traveled to the resort, the less sun protection they employed. The UV index showed a weak, positive relationship with some sun protection behaviors even when controlling for temperature.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vacationers appeared aware that UV is higher at southern latitudes and may learn UV is intense when living in southern regions. However, many used temperature, an unreliable cue, to judge UV intensity and seemed to adjust clothing for warmth not UV protection. Efforts are needed to help individuals make more accurate sun safety decisions.
authors.affiliation: School of Communication, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182, USA. Electronic address: westone47@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.affiliation: Klein Buendel, Inc., 1667 Cole Boulevard, Suite 225, Golden, CO 80401, USA.
authors.forename: David B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Buller
authors.affiliation: Klein Buendel, Inc., 1667 Cole Boulevard, Suite 225, Golden, CO 80401, USA.
authors.forename: Barbara J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Walkosz
authors.affiliation: Mikonics, Inc., 40 B Old Road South, Santa Fe, NM 87540, USA.
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.affiliation: L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, San Diego State University, Room PSFA 445, San Diego, CA 92182, USA.
authors.forename: Larry
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Beck
authors.affiliation: Klein Buendel, Inc., 1667 Cole Boulevard, Suite 225, Golden, CO 80401, USA.
authors.forename: Xia
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: School of Communication, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182, USA.
authors.forename: Allison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abbott
authors.affiliation: Klein Buendel, Inc., 1667 Cole Boulevard, Suite 225, Golden, CO 80401, USA.
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Eye
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000531:Altitude; D002170:Canada; D003020:Clothing; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005843:Geography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012621:Seasons; D013471:Sunburn / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013696:Temperature; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014481:United States; D014887:Weather; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D013473:Sunscreening Agents
keywords: Environmental UV; Risks of outdoor recreation; Skin cancer; Solar ultraviolet radiation; Sun protection