This post was originally published on Defender Network
By Laura Onyeneho
When summer hits, the cookouts, beach days and long hours in the sun are part of the fun experience. However, for Black communities, some of the biggest health risks come not from the heat, but from the misinformation we’ve been told for ages.
From sunscreen to swimming, it’s time to separate fact from fiction. Because believing these myths can cost more than comfort, it can cost lives.
Family physician and wellness expert Dr. Bernadette Anderson, co-owner of Faith Family Health, Dr. Nicole Swiner, Family Physician and advisor of Black Girl Vitamins and Family Physician Dr. Joyce B. Idehen have heard it all.
Here are five summer health myths that these experts advise individuals to retire.
Myth #1: Black People Don’t Need Sunscreen
“Absolutely not true,” says Anderson. “Melanin provides some protection, about SPF 13, but it doesn’t make us immune to sun damage.”
That means sunburn, sunspots, premature aging and yes, skin cancer, are all on the table. And worse, when skin cancer does appear in Black patients, it’s often at a later, more dangerous stage.
Daily sunscreen isn’t optional; it’s essential. Choose a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher and reapply every two hours, especially if you’re sweating or swimming. For those tired of that ghostly cast, go for mineral sunscreens or newer formulas labeled invisible, sheer, or for melanin-rich skin. As Anderson puts it, “Think of sunscreen as a daily prescription for preservation.”
“We think wearing less keeps us cooler, but if you’re out in the sun for hours, more coverage is safer,” Swiner said. “Long sleeves, light colors, and wide-brim hats can all protect vulnerable skin areas like the face, neck, and ears. She reminds us: “Don’t forget your nose and your ears; they burn too.”
Idehen brings in another layer with cultural nuance. She notes that skin cancer is often diagnosed later in Black patients because healthcare systems and textbooks weren’t built to recognize skin abnormalities on darker skin tones.
“Many in the African and Caribbean communities think they’re immune because of their experience back home. But the environment here is different, and the health risks are real.”
African Americans have the lowest survival rates for melanoma in the U.S., with a five-year survival rate of 66%, compared to 90% for white individuals, as the disease is more likely to be detected later.
Myth #2: Heat Exhaustion Doesn’t Hit Us
Heat stroke and heat exhaustion don’t discriminate. Black communities are often more vulnerable.
“People in under-resourced neighborhoods may lack access to air conditioning, shaded outdoor areas, or even basic hydration,” Anderson says. “And those things matter in a heatwave.”
Symptoms like nausea, clammy skin, dizziness and fatigue are early warning signs of a heat-related illness. Stay ahead of it, sip water throughout the day (don’t wait to feel thirsty) and opt for electrolyte drinks if you’re sweating a lot. Wear loose, light-colored clothes and find shade or cooling centers when temperatures soar.
“Most of what people drink at summer gatherings, soda, tea, cocktails, isn’t hydrating.” Swiner recommends a daily goal of at least 48 ounces of water, and double that if you spend extended time outside. “That Stanley cup you love? It only holds 40 ounces. So fill it, finish it, and then do it again.”
Climate change risks disproportionately impact marginalized groups, particularly those of color and low-income, due to inequities and structural racism. These factors also influence climate vulnerability.
Myth #3: Black People Don’t Swim
This one is not only false, it’s dangerous.
Nearly 40 million US adults, including 36.8% of Black adults and 63% of Hispanic adults, lack swimming skills, with over half having never taken a lesson. This disparity may be due to cost, availability, fear of water, or discomfort with traditional swimwear. Research suggests that these disparities may be influenced by historical and social factors.
“This myth has roots in systemic racism,” Anderson says. “Barriers to pool access, racist exclusion from public swim spaces, and generational trauma have all played a role.”
But swimming is a survival skill, not a cultural preference. According to the CDC, Black children and young adults are 1.5 times more likely to drown than their white counterparts.
Encouraging swim lessons is about breaking cycles of fear and giving our children (and adults) the skills to be safe in and around water.
Myth #4: Hiking, Nature Therapy Isn’t for Black People
Nature is not a white thing. It’s for everyone. Yet only about 2% of national park visitors are Black, according to the National Parks Conservation Association.
“We forget that summer doesn’t mean we stop prioritizing our minds, Idehen said “It ties it to mental health. Nature therapy, movement, and sunlight are vital for managing stress.”
Anderson says this perception needs to shift.
“Green spaces aren’t a luxury,” she said. “They’re ancestral medicine. Our people have a deep relationship with the land.”
Swiner says there are changes happening around how people choose to be active . “We’ve got hiking clubs, Black-owned running groups, yoga in the park. The more we embrace outdoor wellness, the better our mental and physical health will be,” she said. “If the idea of hiking feels foreign, start small. Take your favorite indoor workout, yoga, walking, Zumba and just do it outside. You don’t have to be a ‘nature person’ to benefit.”
Myth #5: Grilling Is Always Healthy
Shocker right? Who would think that having an outdoor barbecue could have an impact on your health? Charring meats on the grill can produce cancer-linked chemicals like heterocyclic amines (HAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), especially when meats are overcooked or exposed to smoke.
To prevent cancer-causing chemicals from forming on your grill, prepare meat before it comes into contact with the grill. Marinate it beforehand, preheat the grill, wrap it in tin foil and avoid using the same oils you used previously, as reheating or cooking oil can release carcinogens. These simple steps can help reduce the risk of cancer-causing chemicals.
“Summer barbecues are cherished traditions in many Black communities, offering connection, joy and flavor,” But moderation and preparation do matter,” Anderson said. “To celebrate both culture and health, marinate the meats to reduce the dangerous compounds and consider grilled veggies.”
