The sun is essential for life. It provides light and warmth, but it can also be damaging to people when we get too much exposure to the sun.

Ultraviolet radiation (UV) from the sun and from tanning beds can cause many health problems. UV is classified as a carcinogen, meaning that it is known to cause cancer in people. UV is stronger at higher altitudes, so Coloradans are at higher risk since we are a mile closer to the sun!

Health effects of overexposure to UV:

Wrinkling and early aging of the skin -
Sun exposure can cause skin aging, wrinkling and sun spots.

Skin Cancer - Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S. More people are diagnosed each year with skin cancer than breast, prostate, colon and lung cancers combined. There are three kinds of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Learn more

Macular degeneration and cataracts -
Macular degeneration is progressive damage to a part of the eye known as the macula. It is the leading cause of blindness in adults over age 55.
Cataracts are a clouding on the lens of the eye, which can lead to blindness if not treated. Learn more

Additional Tri-County Pages:
• Annual Reports
• A–Z Index of Topics and Services
• Community Health Data
• Disease Prevention
• En Español / In Spanish
• Healthy Aging Page
• Injury Prevention
• Men's Health Services
• Minority Health Concerns
• Nursing Division Homepage
• Peak Wellness Health Screenings
• Travel Immunizations
• Women's Health Services

Related Links and Fact Sheets:
• American Academy of Dermatology
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Healthy Living (CDC)
• Skin CancerNet
• Skin Cancer Foundation
• Sun Safe Colorado
• Sun Safety Alliance

Toolkits:
• Sun Safety Toolkit for Public Pools
• Sun Safety Toolkit for Schools

PDF files can be viewed and printed
with the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.