Regular use of sunscreen is one of the most effective ways to prevent skin cancer, yet many people do not routinely apply or reapply as recommended. Dr. Jeffrey Cohen, MD, MPH ‘25, a graduate of the Yale School of Public Health’s Executive MPH (EMPH) program, is interested in sunscreen dispensers as an innovative public health tool for skin cancer prevention.
During his EMPH Applied Practice Experience, Cohen brought the dispensers to the Connecticut communities of Guilford and Madison. Now he’s championed having a dispenser on YSPH’s campus at 60 College Street.
“These dispensers are a simple but visible reminder that sun protection is part of public health,” said Cohen, associate professor of dermatology, and biomedical informatics and data science at Yale School of Medicine. “Even if you don’t use the sunscreen, seeing the dispenser reminds you to protect your skin from the sun.”
Over the past 50 years, melanoma incidence has risen sharply, with more than 100,000 new cases expected in 2025. It is now the second most common cancer among individuals aged 15–29, and in the United States someone dies from melanoma every hour. This potentially lethal form of skin cancer originates in melanocytes, pigment-producing cells. Like many other cancers, melanoma arises through the uncontrolled growth of these cells. However, melanoma is highly treatable when detected early, making prevention and timely screening critical components in reducing mortality from this disease.
Regular use of sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher can reduce the risk of developing skin cancer by approximately 50%, while experiencing five or more sunburns over a lifetime doubles the risk of malignant melanoma.
By providing convenient access to sunscreen, Cohen hopes the YSPH dispenser will encourage routine application, while also serving as a reminder of the importance of daily sun protection in preventing skin cancer. Cohen hopes to expand the sunscreen dispenser program to additional locations in New Haven and throughout the state. The dispenser is also a convenient resource to fill the gaps in sunscreen reapplication throughout people’s day. Cohen partnered with Impact Melanoma, an organization dedicated to decreasing skin cancer incidence. The organization was instrumental in the rollout of the project, from sourcing the sunscreen to branding the dispensers.
Cohen recently developed an occupational sun exposure questionnaire to understand if individuals with high outdoor exposure, such as firefighters and fishermen, receive adequate education and protection against UV risks.
He hopes the new sunscreen dispenser at YSPH is a beneficial resource for the Yale community. Just as important, he believes that the dispenser location can serve as a symbol that sun protection is a worthy issue that deserves our attention and an indispensable part of public health.