UN Updates SunSmart Global UV App to Combat UV Health Risks

A group of United Nations agencies launched an updated version of the SunSmart Global UV app, a tool designed to combat UV-related health issues. The app, originally introduced in 2022, now features enhanced capabilities and is compatible with all mobile devices, reports the International Labor Organization (ILO).

The SunSmart Global UV app offers users the ability to monitor UV levels and receive personalized sun protection advice for up to ten locations. This functionality aids individuals in taking preventive measures against excessive UV exposure, a major cause of skin cancer and other related diseases. Over 1.5 million skin cancer cases are attributed to excessive UV radiation from the sun annually.

Co-launched by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the app provides UV and weather forecasts using national and local data streams. These forecasts highlight times and places where sun protection is crucial.

“Every year 1.6 billion workers, particularly those working outdoors, are exposed to solar UV radiation at work. This number is likely to increase with climate change. There is a critical need to raise workers’ awareness about the risks they face due to unprotected exposure to solar UV,” says Joaquim Pintado Nunes, Occupational Safety and Health and Working Environment (OSHE) Branch Chief, ILO.

The app leverages the Global Solar UV Index to offer consistent, global UV reporting and public health messaging. It aims to reduce skin cancer and UV-related eye damage by educating the public on prevention measures such as limiting time in the midday sun, seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, and using broad-spectrum sunscreen.

The SunSmart Global UV app also aligns with the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 3, which promotes health and well-being worldwide. By increasing public awareness and encouraging sun-smart behavior, the app contributes to this goal.

The updated SunSmart Global UV app provides essential resources for tracking UV exposure and promoting sun safety. Its enhanced features and wide accessibility make it a valuable asset in the global fight against UV-related health issues.