Why the U.S. is losing the global sunscreen race

NPR | By Darian Woods,

Wailin Wong, Vito Emanuel

Published July 24, 2026 at 4:26 PM EDT

American sunscreens are way behind the rest of the world in terms of how well they prevent skin cancer. The Indicator's Darian Woods and Wailin Wong explain why.

Darian Woods

Darian Woods is a co-host of The Indicator from Planet Money.

See stories by Darian Woods

Wailin Wong

Wailin Wong is a co-host of The Indicator from Planet Money.

Vito Emanuel

Support nonprofit, fact-based public service journalism

WEKU depends on support from those who view and listen to our content. There's no paywall here. Please support WEKU with your donation.

Contribute now

Related Content

The Commonwealth

Northern Kentucky sustainable farm company folds, laying off more than 100 workers

Lily Burris

The business is closing its Boone County facility after a failed acquisition.
NPR News

These swing voters in Nevada say they are not dismissing socialist candidates

Ashley Lopez

In online focus groups, 10 of 12 Biden-to-Trump voters said they wouldn't automatically think negatively of a politician who identifies with socialism.
NPR News

Sailors and their families have lives on pause, uncertain if they'll return to Mideast

Steve Walsh

Sailors and family members who were evacuated from U.S. bases in the Middle East months ago are waiting for the military to figure out what will happen to the lives they left behind.
NPR News

Phoebe Bridgers remembers everything

Ann Powers

Bridgers' third solo album is her account of a time in which she retreated from the public eye, reeling from the effects of fame, a complicated love life and the sudden death of her father.
NPR News

Morning news brief

Michel Martin, Leila Fadel

Primary results reveal divide among Democratic Party, new inflation report could give the Fed more time to bring inflation under control, rescues teams race to find survivors of Colombia earthquake.