{"id":14623,"date":"2025-07-29T12:22:34","date_gmt":"2025-07-29T16:22:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/?page_id=14623"},"modified":"2025-07-29T12:22:34","modified_gmt":"2025-07-29T16:22:34","slug":"richmond-and-henrico-health-districts-highlight-the-importance-of-uv-safety-awareness","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/public-relations-contacts\/archived-news-releases\/2025-regional-news-releases\/richmond-and-henrico-health-districts-highlight-the-importance-of-uv-safety-awareness\/","title":{"rendered":"Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Highlight the Importance of UV Safety Awareness"},"content":{"rendered":"

July 29, 2025<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Media Contact:<\/span><\/b> Bryan Hooten, 804-807-1727, <\/span>bryan.hooten@vdh.virginia.gov<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Richmond and Henrico Health Districts <\/span><\/b>Highlight the Importance of UV Safety Awareness<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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RICHMOND, Va<\/span><\/b>. \u2013 The Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) remind community members to protect themselves from the dangers of <\/span>ultraviolet (UV) radiation<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

July is UV Safety Awareness Month, a time to highlight the importance of taking proactive steps now to prevent skin cancer, the most common type of cancer in the U.S. The good news is that skin cancer is one of the <\/span>most preventable types of cancer<\/span><\/a>. No matter how much time you plan to spend outdoors enjoying the sunshine and summer activities, you should take extra precautions against the damaging rays which can put yourself at risk for several serious health issues.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sunlight exposure is highest during the summer between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. You are also at risk of UV radiation even on cloudy days. Be safe, use common sense and protect yourself from sun damage when outside, no matter what the weather.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBeing active outdoors is beneficial for our physical and mental health,\u201d said Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Director Elaine Perry, M.D. \u201cProtecting ourselves and our loved ones from UV rays while we are enjoying our time outside means we can experience those benefits in a safer way.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

UV radiation is classified into three primary types: ultraviolet A (UVA), ultraviolet B (UVB), and ultraviolet C (UVC), based on their wavelengths. Almost all the UV radiation that reaches earth is UVA though some UVB radiation reaches earth. UVA and UVB radiation can both affect health, but UVA penetrates deeper into the skin and is more constant throughout the year.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

RHHD suggests several steps you can take to <\/span>protect yourself<\/span><\/a> from UV radiation.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n