To ask the Minister of Health for an update on any steps being taken to raise public awareness of the risks associated with ultraviolet exposure, particularly amongst (i) outdoor workers; and (ii) young people.

Skin cancer is now the most common form of cancer in Northern Ireland, but in the majority of cases it can be effectively treated if detected at an early stage. Over exposure to UV radiation is widely accepted as the underlying cause for skin cancer and experts believe that four out of five cases could be prevented by adopting simple precautions.

A key aim of the Department’s Skin Cancer Prevention Strategy and Action Plan is to raise public awareness of the dangers of over exposure to UV. The Public Health Agency host a Care in the Sun Website which promotes sun safe behaviour and UV awareness, and the Department also works closely with Cancer Focus Northern Ireland (CFNI) who also engage the public to raise awareness of the harms of UV and promote good sun safety behaviours.

In 2024/25 CFNI promoted key messages to target groups including outdoor workers, sporting clubs and outdoor sports centres. Awareness sessions were delivered across 127 venues to 14,102 people participating in outdoor activities and sports. Furthermore, CFNI presented at an annual Build Health Conference in 2024 to promote the importance of sun safety for outdoor workers. A Be UV Aware campaign has also seen a variety of media activities targeted at raising public awareness of the dangers of UV exposure in particular adolescents aged 16+.

We will continue to liaise with the PHA and Cancer Focus Northern Ireland to co-ordinate future media activities to better raise public awareness of the dangers of UV exposure.