Sensible sun protection behaviour should not put people at risk of vitamin D deficiency.
There are both beneficial and detrimental effects of ultraviolet radiation (UVR). Excessive UVR exposure can be damaging to health. Exposure to UVR is the cause of over 90% of all skin cancer cases. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in New Zealand with an estimated 60,000 new cases and over 300 deaths each year.
Adequate vitamin D status is essential for general health. Vitamin D is necessary for bone, joint, muscle and neurological function. The link between sunlight exposure, vitamin D levels and osteoporosis is well established .
The main source of vitamin D in Australia and NZ is exposure to sunlight. Some UVR exposure is important for vitamin D production. Because of this, a balance is required between avoiding an increased risk of skin cancer and maintaining adequate vitamin D levels.
