Queensland researchers have found women are less likely to wear a hat than men while they’re out in the sun.

The team from James Cook University observed over 1300 people at two Supercars events in Townsville and tallied those who wore hats and sun-smart clothing.

Dr Simone Harrison says worryingly only about 18 per cent of people were wearing wide-brimmed or bucket style-hats.

“It’s going to protect a lot more of your face and even sometimes shading on the neck, definitely good for the eyes too.”

She says it might be time for another sun-safety campaign to reinforce the message to slip-slop-slap, otherwise people can become complacent.

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