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Knowledge of the solar UV index

  • Document type:
    Publication
  • Author:
    Department of Health
  • Published date:
    16 March 2000
  • Primary audience:
    Professionals
  • Product number:
    1841821535
  • Gateway reference:
    not required
  • Series number:
    Statistical Bulletin 2000/4
  • Pages:
    18
  • Copyright holder:
    Crown Copyright

Statistical Bulletin 2000/4, prepared by the Government Statistical Service, presents results based on the ONS Omnibus Survey module conducted in September 1999, which asked questions about people's knowledge and awareness of the Solar UV (Ultraviolet) Index.

Main findings:

  • Just under two-thirds of adults said that they had heard of the Solar UV or 'Sun Index' but only a third thought they knew what a solar index of 6 meant. There were no differences between men and women in their awareness of the index.
  • Just under two-thirds of adults said that they had heard of the Solar UV or 'Sun Index' but only a third thought they knew what a solar index of 6 meant. There were no differences between men and women in their awareness of the index.
  • Only 7% of adults were able to accurately assess the risk of sunburn to their own skin type on a day when the 'Sun Index' is 6. A further 21% thought they knew how to apply the 'Sun Index' but were unable to do so correctly.
  • Adults aged over 75 were less likely to have heard of the 'Sun Index' than other age groups and least likely to apply it correctly.
  • The most common source of information about the Solar UV Index mentioned by those who had heard of the index was the TV weather forecast (35% of adults); followed by other TV programmes (30%) and newspapers (31%).
  • Using sun cream or sunscreen (33% of men and 47% of women) and keeping out of the sun (22% of men and 24% of women) were the most common changes in behaviour prompted by awareness of the 'Sun Index'.

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