I was recently listening to a radio program (On Point) about the beneficial effects of sunlight.

The program notes that the potential beneficial effects of sunlight are much greater than the risks. Increased sunlight has been associated with lower rates of death, as well as lower rates of cardiovascular disease and autoimmune conditions like multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, and Crohn’s disease.

When dermatologists recommend avoiding sunlight, they may be focused on the risks but not the benefits (though this varies among individuals). In addition, despite the more than 5-fold rise of melanoma diagnosis (especially in wealthy communities), there has not been a change in the rate of deaths due to melanoma. Skin cancers associated with sun exposure are mainly basal cell tumors and squamous cell tumors. These non-melanoma skin cancers have excellent survival rates.

Here is a link: The Healing Power of Sunlight (48 minutes) The most important part of this is in the middle, starting around 20 minutes.

My take: It’s a good idea to avoid sunburns but getting sunshine is good for health.

Related article:

• Environ Epidemiol 2025. 9(3):e401. doi: 10.1097/EE9.0000000000000401. The association between time spent outdoors during daylight and mortality among participants of the Adventist Health Study 2 Cohort. Conclusion: “Moderate time outdoors in daylight during warmer months could be associated with lower risks of all-cause, CVD, and noncancer non-CVD mortality”

Related blog posts:

• Screening for Melanoma in At-Risk (Pediatric) Patients –Is This a Good Idea?
• The End of the Vitamin D Epidemic (VITAL Study)
• Changes in Latitudes and Changes in Autoimmune Liver Disease
• What is Driving the Vitamin D Epidemic? (More Testing)
• Why I Don’t Check Vitamin D Levels During IBD Flareups
• How Important Is It to Correct Vitamin D Deficiency in a Critically-Ill Patient?