Public Awareness and Behaviour in Great Britain in the Context of Sunlight Exposure and Vitamin D: Results from the First Large-Scale and Representative Survey.

Kevin Burchell,Lesley E Rhodes,Ann R Webb

doi:10.3390/ijerph17186924

Abstract

In recent years, UK public health messages about the risks of sunlight exposure (skin cancer) have been increasingly balanced by messages about its benefits (vitamin D production). Currently, data about the effects of this shift on public knowledge, awareness, and behaviour are scant. Thus, the objective of this paper is to report the findings of the first large-scale and representative survey of the awareness, knowledge, and behaviour of adults in Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales) (n = 2024) with respect to sunlight exposure, vitamin D, and sunburn and skin cancer. The findings suggest that the public in Great Britain is much more aware of public promotion of the risks of sunlight exposure than its benefits. That said, knowledge about sunlight exposure and vitamin D is fairly strong, though not with respect to the detail of the ‘little and often’ approach. However, the survey also suggests that levels of sunlight exposure among the public are often excessive. The survey indicates that knowledge and behaviour are both less satisfactory among men and people in lower socio-economic groups. The paper concludes with recommendations for public health communications and for research in this area.

Highlights

Vitamin D is an important and unusual nutrient
With the objective of better understanding public awareness, knowledge, and behaviour with respect to these issues, this paper has reported the findings of the first large-scale and representative survey on this topic in Great Britain
The findings from this survey are likely to be of interest to public health professionals, charities, researchers, and other stakeholders with an interest in sunlight exposure and its risks and benefits

Summary

Introduction

Vitamin D is an important and unusual nutrient It is important throughout the human life course because it helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body, which in turn keep bones, teeth, and muscles healthy [1]. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to bone pain and weakness (osteomalacia and osteoporosis) and poor muscle strength, resulting in potential for fractures and falls [2,3]. Part of our analysis focused on identifying differences or distinctions between categories—for instance, between men and women—within the context of a number of demographic attributes: gender, age, social group, region/country in Great Britain, employment status, marital status, and the presence of children in the household). The analysis revealed minimal significant differences and certainly no discernible patterns with respect to marital status, the presence of children in the household, and region/country in Great Britain

Objectives

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Results

Discussion

Conclusion