Scientific evidence shows that overexposure to UV radiation is the major cause of skin cancer. To help people to know when UV radiation is at its highest and to protect themselves adequately, the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) launched today the SunSmart Global UV App.
“The SunSmart Global UV App provides five-day UV and weather forecasts at searchable locations”, said Carla Drysdale, spokesperson for the World Health Organization (WHO). While speaking today at a briefing at the United Nations in Geneva, Ms. Drysdale added that “it highlights time slots when sun protection is required and aims to help people around the world to know when to use sun protection, in an effort to reduce the global burden of skin cancer and UV-related eye damage”.
Developed by Australia’s Cancer Council Victoria and the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, the app is based on the UV Index, which indicates the level of solar UV radiation at the earth’s surface. The UV Index uses a scale of 1 (or Low) to 11 and higher (or Extreme). The higher the index value the greater the potential for damage to the skin and eyes and the less time it takes for harm to occur.
“Globally, it’s estimated that over 1,5 million cases of skin cancer, that’s melanoma and non-melanoma combined, were diagnosed globally in 2020”, Ms. Drysdale said. “During the same period, more than 120, 000 people across the world lost their lives to this highly preventable disease”.
Much of UV-related illness and death can be avoided through a set of simple prevention measures such as limit time in the midday sun, seek shade when UV rays are most intense and wear protective clothing, hats and sunglasses as well as the use of sunscreen.
According to WMO’s spokesperson Clare Nullis “it’s now the period of the year when UV radiation is at its maximum in Europe, in the northern hemisphere”. She added “this is because of the position of the sun in the sky. There are other factors that do influence the amount of UV, which is the ground, clouds, the ozone layers, etc. etc. So, all of these elements are being added into this app which has been launched”.
The SunSmart Global UV app is available free of charge at both the Apple App and Google Play stores. It provides personalized options so that users can take actions to protect prolonged excessive UV exposure, a major cause of skin cancer and other UV relate diseases.
-ends-
1
1
1
Edited News | OCHA , UNICEF , WHO
Two years of Gaza-Israel war bring ‘indescribable’ pain: UN humanitarians
Two years since the Hamas-led terror attacks on Israel, UN humanitarians on Tuesday reiterated calls for the release of all hostages in Gaza, an immediate ceasefire and an aid surge to alleviate Palestinians’ suffering, as talks on a US-driven peace plan continued in Egypt.
1
1
1
Edited News
Syria prison survivor seeks justice for the missing with UN backing.
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Friday warned that three and a half years after Russia’s full-scale invasion, the war in Ukraine has entered an even more dangerous and deadly stage for Ukrainian civilians, under relentless bombardment of their schools, hospitals, and shelters.
1
1
1
Edited News | UNICEF , WHO , ICRC
Quadcopter victims, terror and death: 30 minutes in a Gaza hospital
UN aid teams on Friday highlighted the disturbing situation in Gaza’s makeshift hospitals, where premature babies cry for scant oxygen and medics attempt to save child survivors targeted by airstrikes in their tents and quadcopter victims reportedly shot while fetching bread.
2
1
2
Edited News | OHCHR
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Thursday delivered his oral update to the UN Human Rights Council’s 60th session on the human rights situation in Haiti.
The High Commissioner welcomed Wednesday’s decision of the UN Security Council to strengthen the Multinational Security Support mission by transitioning to the Gang Suppression Force for Haiti, stating it is a strong signal of international support for the Haitian people.
1
1
1
Edited News | OCHA , UNICEF
Gaza: As world waits for US peace plan news, UN aid teams stress need for ceasefire
UN agencies reiterated calls for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza on Tuesday to help alleviate Palestinian suffering, as a new US 20-point plan raised hopes of a halt to the fighting.
1
1
1
Edited News | WHO
The ongoing Israeli military offensive in Gaza City continues to overwhelm the war-torn enclave’s medical professionals, with four more hospitals forced to shut down this month alone, the UN World Health Organization said on Friday.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
A UN Human Rights report released today details the dire situation of thousands of civilians detained since Russia’s full-scale armed attack on Ukraine in 2022.
1
1
1
Edited News | WHO , UNICEF
Sudan war: Life-saving cholera vaccination campaign begins in Darfur
Amid the devastating war in Sudan, UN aid teams are overcoming major obstacles to curb a cholera outbreak claiming lives across the country, with young children particularly at risk.
2
1
2
Edited News , B-roll | UN WOMEN
Women and girls still reeling from Afghanistan's recent deadly earthquake face even greater suffering rebuilding their lives and livelihoods without much more help from the international community, UN Women said on Friday.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
Rising civilian casualties, growing ethnic violence and the grim humanitarian situation in Sudan underscore how the crisis there is deepening, according to a UN Human rights report published today.
1
1
1
Edited News | UNITED NATIONS
United Nations agencies staff demonstrates on Place des Nations in Geneva to denounce the killing of their colleagues in Gaza.