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Communities Facing Most UV Exposure Risk

Did you know that outdoor workers have a higher risk of skin cancer? Among skin cancer patients, 37.7% of them were outdoor workers. Outdoor workers had lower educational levels, and reported feeling less confident in understanding medical information and filling medical forms, which also poses a barrier. 

Access to Protection for Communities Facing Most Risk:

Average Salary for Outdoor Workers in the US: 

  • Hourly Wage approx. $16.45  

  • Annual Wage: 38,000 for salaries in the 75th Percentile 

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What do Jobs Typically Provide for their at-risk workers?

  • To prevent heat-illness, employers are required to provide access to fresh water and shade at temperatures at/ above 80 degrees Fahrenheit

  • Jobs enforce the rules that protect against heat, but are not entitled to provide protective gear

    • Compared to most outdoor workers salaries, preventative gear may not always be affordable.

These workers typically work 40 hours a week, meaning reapplying sunscreen every 2 hours as recommended could become expensive over time

  • SPF 50+ is recommended for most outdoor workers

  • Average SF 50+ costs $10-15

    • “Realistically, if you’re using sunscreen the way it’s directed, each bottle shouldn’t last you more than a couple of months,” says Dr. Vi

Access to Diagnosis for Communities Facing Most Risk:

People working in construction typically have lower levels of health insurance

  • Undocumented immigrants are ineligible for Medicaid or Marketplace coverage– and more than 1.4 million undocumented immigrants work in construction

  • 42.8% of construction workers pursue their work uninsured.

  • 1 in 5 uninsured adults in 2021 reported going without needed medical care due to cost.

 

This results in a major underreported gap for outdoor workers who are:

  • Typically uninsured

  • Significantly more exposed to UV rays

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