Vitamin D and Sun Exposure: A Community Survey in Australia

Autor: Vu Tran, Monika Janda, Robyn M. Lucas, Donald S. A. McLeod, Bridie S. Thompson, Mary Waterhouse, David C. Whiteman, Rachel E. Neale
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2023
Předmět:
Zdroj: Current Oncology, Vol 30, Iss 2, Pp 2465-2481 (2023)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 1718-7729
1198-0052
DOI: 10.3390/curroncol30020188
Popis: Sun exposure carries both harms and benefits. Exposing the skin to the sun is the main modifiable cause of skin cancers, which exert a considerable health and economic burden in Australia. The most well-established benefit of exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is vitamin D production. Australia has the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world but, despite the high ambient UV radiation, approximately one quarter of the population is estimated to be vitamin D deficient. Balancing the risks and benefits is challenging and requires effective communication. We sought to provide a snapshot of public knowledge and attitudes regarding sun exposure and vitamin D and to examine the associations between these factors and sun protective behaviors. In 2020 we administered an online survey; 4824 participants with self-reported fair or medium skin color were included in this analysis. Only 25% and 34% of participants were able to identify the amount of time outdoors needed to maintain adequate vitamin D status in summer and winter, respectively and 25% were concerned that sunscreen use inhibits vitamin D synthesis. This lack of knowledge was associated with suboptimal sun protection practices. Public education is warranted to prevent over-exposure, while supporting natural vitamin D production.
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals
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