Skin cancer causes more than 1000 deaths in Australia, and costs the health care system over $700 million each year.
University of Southern Queensland PhD student and researcher for the university's Centre for Astronomy, Solar Radiation and Climate, David Turnbull, who has been researching local council shade structures used across Australia and the World since 2002, said most of the deaths could be prevented.
"Shade structures are not built effectively," Mr Turnbull said.
"Solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation plays a considerable role in the health and development of human beings, from initiating the formation of vitamin D to increasing the risk of skin cancer and sun-related eye disorders.
"As the public's understanding of the damaging effects associated with UV radiation increases, shaded environments will be sought to reduce personal UV exposure. However, a common misconception is that shade protects the human body against all UV," he said.
"UV radiation is evident on a surface in two distinct components, direct and scattered. Scattered UV radiation is present underneath shade structures due to scattering by the atmosphere and surroundings, and has been found to be at strengths of up to 84 percent of direct UV rays.
"While direct UV from the Sun is reflected or absorbed by the shade structure, my research has shown that significantly high levels of the scattered UV component is still present in the shade, especially during the months of late autumn and early spring."