SunSmart Global UV App Surpasses 360,000 Downloads

As the SunSmart Global UV app celebrates its first anniversary in Australia, SunSmart urges Aussies to download the app for free if they haven’t already.

With hot weather and extreme UV levels of around 11 and 12 this week, Aussies are urged to download the free app if they have not already done so.

The app has been downloaded more than 360,000 times across the globe and has 100,000 active users monthly.

Australia accounts for almost 200,000 of those downloads.

Head of SunSmart Victoria, Emma Glassenbury said the app was a great way to get real-time UV and sun protection advice at their fingertips.

“Being outdoors in Australia means we’re exposed to some of the harshest and most dangerous levels of UV radiation in the world,” Ms Glassenbury said.

“This is reflected in our skin cancer rates with more than two in three Aussies diagnosed with skin cancer during their lifetime.

“Exposure to UV radiation is responsible for 95 per cent of melanoma and 99 per cent of non-melanoma skin cancers.

“Yet too many people are unaware of what the UV level is where they live and when to cover up to prevent skin cancer.”

The SunSmart Global UV app was developed to guide more people to be sun protective when the UV was likely to cause damage, in turn reducing the number of people developing skin cancer and experiencing UV-related eye damage.

The app tailors the times of day when sun protection is recommended to any location and has the potential to save lives worldwide.

Head of Prevention at Cancer Council Victoria, and Adjunct Associate Professor Craig Sinclair said the development and launch of the app highlights the innovative use of technology to protect the health of communities worldwide.

“We’re a recognised global leader in skin cancer prevention, drawing on decades of experience to innovate new ways of sharing knowledge to change behaviours and reduce the burden of skin cancer - and this app is another tool to help,” Professor Sinclair said.

“After seeing a decline in melanoma rates in Australians aged under 40 years who have grown up with skin prevention programs like SunSmart, we k now the power of sun protection campaigns and interventions in reducing the impact of UV radiation.”

Globally, skin cancers are the most commonly diagnosed group of cancers and an unnecessary burden to people and health systems given they can be prevented through reducing UV exposure and using sun protection.

APANSA Director of Radiation Research and Advice and Associate Professor Sarah Loughran said the app uses forecast information from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and live UV data from the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) to provide sun protection times across Australia and the world.

“Even when UV reaches extreme levels, it can’t be seen or felt, but through the free app people receive real-time, location specific updates so they know when the UV index hits 3 sun protection is required,” said Professor Loughran.

When the UV is 3 and above, it’s important to slip on sun-protective clothing, slop on broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF 30 (or higher) sunscreen, slap on a broad-brimmed had, seek shade and slide on sunglasses.

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