Men are twice as likely as women to not protect their skin in the sun, despite more men dying from melanoma than women, according to research due to be released at the British Association of Dermatologists annual conference in Glasgow next month.

The shocking survey of 1213 adults formed part of the Northern Ireland Omnibus Survey published in September 2008, a regular survey of the lifestyle and views of the people of Northern Ireland*.

It also found that people in their teens and early twenties are less likely than any other age group to use sun protection, despite increasing numbers of melanoma being diagnosed in this age group.

One in ten people surveyed (10%) take no protective measures at all against sun exposure (compared to 8% in 2000).

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A new model for the funding of long-term care for older people is needed in the UK, delegates at the Actuarial Profession’s Health and Care Conference in Glasgow heard today.

In a workshop titled ‘Who cares?’ Reforming long-term care, University of Birmingham Health Services Management Centre co-director Jon Glasby said the current system placed an unfair burden on individuals.

Professor Glasby said alternative methods of funding long-term care that needed to be discussed included:

- introducing compulsory long-term care insurance;
- abolishing long-term care fees;
- drawing on value of homes through equity release.

Professor Glasby said he hoped the government’s Green Paper on care and support, due this year, would provide an opportunity to stimulate debate on the issue and lead to an overhaul of the system.

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