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For the past several years, several healthcare organizations have been determined to educate the public about the adverse effects of indoor tanning-bed use. Also, the FDA in 2014 reclassified tanning beds from low-risk devices (class I) to moderate-risk ones (class II; NEJM JW Dermatol Jul 2014 and FDA 2014 May 29). Most states have enacted legislation regulating their use, especially by minors. But have these efforts changed tanning behavior? Researchers evaluated this question by analyzing data from the U.S. 2010 and 2013 National Health Interview Surveys involving nearly 60,000 adults.
Among all adults, indoor tanning decreased by 24% between 2010 and 2013, which was a statistically significant change (5.5% vs. 4.2%). The reduction occurred in both men and women and in both frequent and infrequent tanning-bed users. Among women, the subgroups most likely to reduce their tanning-bed use were older women (ages, ≥50), college graduates, women in fair or poor health, and women who met aerobic or strength physical activity criteria. Among men, tanning-bed use increased among older men (ages, ≥40), but a reduction was seen among cancer survivors.
Guy GP et al. Recent changes in the prevalence of and factors associated with frequency of indoor tanning among US adults. JAMA Dermatol 2015 Jul 1; [e-pub]. (http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jamadermatol.2015.1568)
Comment
The results reassure us that efforts to reduce tanning-bed use are having a positive effect. However, millions of people continue to go to tanning parlors or purchase tanning lamps or beds for home use. The practical implications of the findings are: Physicians need to continue counseling their patients about the adverse effects of ultraviolet radiation from tanning beds because this approach seems to be changing behavior, but efforts should also be directed at older men, who have been increasing their tanning-bed use.