Warning: 1 in 3 People at Risk! World Health Organization-ILO Study Uncovers the Menace of Skin Cancer
In a tag-team effort that can only be described as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) putting on their superhero capes, they’ve dropped some skin-shocking news. Brace yourself, because according to their report, about one-third of non-melanoma skin cancer deaths are basically linked to outdoor work under the blazing sun.
READ: Blockchain Game Illuvium Levels Up as It Heads to the Epic Games Store
Table of Contents
Sun-Kissed Stats: Who Knew Working Outdoors Could be so… Risky?
Picture this: in 2019, a whopping 1.6 billion folks (aged 15 and up) were like, “Hey, let’s soak up some solar ultraviolet radiation while we’re working outdoors.” That’s 28% of the global working-age population, in case you were wondering. And the real jaw-dropper? Nearly 19,000 people across 183 countries kicked the bucket that same year due to non-melanoma skin cancer from their job’s sun exposure. And guess what? Most of them (65%) were dudes.
Skin Cancer: The Uninvited Guest That Can Be Shown the Door Early
Let’s get serious for a sec. Skin cancer is like that unwelcome party guest you can actually kick out if you catch them early enough. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO Director-General, wasn’t joking when he said, “Unprotected exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation at work is a major cause of occupational skin cancer. But there are effective solutions to protect workers from the sun’s harmful rays and prevent their deadly effects.”
Wait, What? Occupational Exposure to Sunlight is a Top-3 Work-Related Risk?
In the list of work-related risks, who would’ve thought that catching rays while on the clock ranks as the third-highest contributor to global cancer deaths? Between 2000 and 2019, deaths from on-the-job sunlight exposure almost doubled, leaping up by a whopping 88%. That’s going from 10,088 deaths in 2000 to 18,960 deaths in 2019. Yikes.
ILO’s Call to Action: Let’s Save Lives and Block the Sun, Sort Of
Gilbert F. Houngbo, the ILO Director-General, dropped the mic by emphasizing the need for a safe and healthy work environment. He declared, “Death caused by unprotected exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation while working is largely preventable through cost-effective measures. It is urgent that governments, employers, and workers collaborate to reduce the occupational risk of UV exposure, saving thousands of lives every year.”
Conclusion: It’s Time to Shine a Light on Sun Safety at Work
In a nutshell, these jaw-dropping stats scream for some serious action. Let’s slap on the sunscreen, wear those stylish sun hats, and collectively agree that saving lives is cooler than getting that perfect tan on the job. The sun’s out there, but we’re out here to outsmart it. Protect yourself, fellow outdoor warriors!
