New viral trend threatens Israelis' health
Israeli doctors are reporting a dangerous trend: teenagers and students deliberately go out in the sun when the UV index is at its maximum to get a quick tan. Dermatologist Efrat Bar-Ilan notes an increase in such cases over the past two years. Medics warn of the risk of burns, DNA damage, and skin cancer, but young people ignore the warnings. According to Health Ministry data, Israel ranks 23rd in melanoma incidence but has the lowest mortality rate.
Israeli doctors are reporting a dangerous trend among teenagers and students: to get a quick tan, they deliberately go out in the sun when the UV index is at its maximum. The index, developed in 1992 to warn of the danger of sunburn and skin cancer, is now being used in reverse on social media. On days when the meteorological service urges people to stay out of the sun due to peak readings of 10 and 11+, young people flock to the beaches. Senior pediatric dermatologist at Clalit Health Services, Dr. Efrat Bar-Ilan, emphasizes that over the past two years she has encountered a worrying trend: teenagers monitor the weather forecast to go outside when the index rises to 9 and above. Specialists remind that UVB rays cause burns and damage the DNA of cells, which in the future threatens premature aging and oncological diseases. However, young people are indifferent to their health; phrases like "I don't care what happens at 60 or 70" have become the norm. According to the Ministry of Health, Israel ranks 23rd among 30 countries in melanoma incidence but has the lowest mortality rate. According to the Israel Cancer Association, about 91% of skin cancer cases are detected at early stages. Medics urge avoiding sun exposure when the index is critical at 11 and regularly using sunscreen.