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Posted on Fri, May 28, 2010 : 11:25 a.m.

5 ways to avoid a sunburn this Memorial Day weekend

By Tina Reed

sunscreen.jpg

Always remember the sunscreen.

Here's a look at some of the top health news being talked about around the U.S. and the world today:

• Sure, we've all heard the advice about avoiding sunburns with sunscreen and plenty of shade to help reduce the chances of developing skin cancer. But just in case, CNN is offering a little refresher with some simple tips, including:

  1. Wear clothing that offers a stronger degree of protection.
  2. Sunscreens should have both UVA or UVB protection.
  3. An SPF of 15 protects against more than 90 percent of the sun's UVB rays (after that, protection pretty much plateaus.)
  4. Sunscreen sprays aren't as effective.
  5. Darker skin doesn't mean you're safe from skin damage. Lather up.

• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is considering whether to pursue criminal penalties against Johnson & Johnson following a rash of Tylenol and other over-the-counter medicine recalls, the Wall Street Journal is reporting.

• Not brushing your teeth twice a day isn't just bad for your dental health. More evidence shows those people with gum disease are more likely to develop heart disease and diabetes because of inflammation in the body, Reuters reported.

Tina Reed covers health and the environment for AnnArbor.com. You can reach her at tinareed@annarbor.com, call her at 734-623-2535 or find her on Twitter @TreedinAA.