Sun Exposure Public Health Directives

• Published in: International journal of environmental research and public health Vol. 15; no. 12; p. 2794
• Main Authors: Hoel, David G, de Gruijl, Frank R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 01-12-2018; MDPI
• Subjects: Alzheimer's disease; Autism; Breast cancer; Burning; Cardiovascular diseases; Diabetes; Diabetes mellitus; Dietary supplements; Disease control; Disease prevention; Environmental Exposure - adverse effects; Exposure; Health risk assessment; Health risks; Humans; Macular degeneration; Medical research; Melanoma; Multiple sclerosis; Public Health; Radiation effects; Skin cancer; Summer; Sun; Sunburn & sun tanning; Ultraviolet radiation; Ultraviolet Rays - adverse effects; Ultraviolet Rays - classification; Vitamin D; New Zealand; United Kingdom > UK; Australia; United States > US; UV radiation; melanoma; nitric oxide; cancer; cardiovascular; vitamin D
• ISSN: 1660-4601; 1661-7827; 1660-4601
• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15122794

There have been many public health recommendations for avoiding UV radiation exposures. This is primarily due to concerns about skin cancer and especially melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer. However, UV radiation is also known as the primary source of vitamin D and other compounds needed for good health. This brief commentary lists several of the many important recent studies of adverse health effects associated with low sun exposure, including some specific cancers, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, autism, Alzheimer's disease, and age-related macular degeneration. Our conclusion is that non-burning UV exposure is a health benefit and-in moderation-should be recommended as such.