Utah's melanoma rate highest in the country
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Utah has the nation's highest melanoma rate — by a long shot.
Why it matters: Although melanoma accounts for only about 1% of skin cancers, it's responsible for the large majority of skin cancer deaths, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).
By the numbers: Utah averaged 40.8 new melanoma cases per 100,000 people each year from 2016 to 2020 — nearly double the national average of 22.5.
The intrigue: That number is probably artificially low because it includes 2020 when some diagnoses likely were delayed due to reduced doctor visits during the COVID pandemic.
- CDC data bears that out, showing Utah melanoma cases dropped to 38.9 in 2020 and returned to 43.4 in 2020 — almost as high as 2019's record rate.
Catch up quick: Utah has had the nation's highest rate for 14 of the last 15 years and has ranked among the top three states since 2005, per the CDC.
Zoom out: The next-highest 5-year rates were in Vermont (36.6) and Minnesota (36).
Context: About three-quarters of Utahns are white, which makes the population more susceptible to skin cancer.
- Utahns also spend a lot of time outdoors, and the high elevation reduces our ozone protection.
Worth your time: Americans are increasingly buying European sunscreens, which are regulated differently and offer more types of sun protection, Axios' Carly Mallenbaum reports.