Sunlight - Essential for Health

Abstract: Sunlight is recognized as one of the most important environmental factors that influence human health. There is strong evidence in the scientific literature that adequate exposure to sunlight is associated with many physical and mental health benefits, including reduced overall mortality, prevention of many deadly forms of cancer, as well as a number of metabolic, cardiovascular, autoimmune, infectious and neuropsychatric diseases. Vitamin D deficiency, which is mainly due to insufficient exposure to sunlight, is now one of the most common medical conditions, estimated to affect more than a billion people worldwide. Health professionals, patients and the general public should receive more evidence-based information about the many health benefits of sunlight, and how to use it in prevention and treatment of disease.