Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
When It Comes To Sunscreen, Don't Just Buy Based On Other Shoppers' Reviews
The Washington Post: A Lot Of Highly Rated Sunscreens Don’t Meet American Academy Of Dermatology Guidelines
Amazon.com reviews have become the indispensable buying guide for all sorts of products for busy Americans who either don’t have time to trek to a retail store or just can’t be bothered. We scrutinize them to figure out which movies to watch, which toaster does the bagel setting right and which toddler booties hold up best. Given that that the marketplace has led you in the right direction with so many other consumer products, you might be wondering whether it’s a good place to read up on the sunscreen you’ve been meaning to buy as summer kicks into high gear. The answer, according to a study published Wednesday by Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine’s Shuai Xu, is yes and no. (Cha, 7/6)
Kaiser Health News: Consumers’ Sunscreen Picks Don’t Always Track With Doctors’ Advice, Study Says
When it comes to consumers choosing sunscreen, they are often drawn to a product’s scent, texture and, of course, performance, according to a study published Wednesday in JAMA Dermatology. It also found that, in many instances, these sunblocks don’t measure up to the standards recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology. The AAD recommends sun protection products contain broad spectrum coverage, an SPF of 30 or higher, and water or sweat resistance. But four out of every 10 products fell short of the recommendations." (Heredia Rodriguez, 7/6)
