A recent study indicates that individuals in the UK Biobank who utilized solariums and resided in regions with high annual average residential shortwave radiation were at a decreased risk of death from various causes, including cardiovascular disease and cancer. Solarium users also exhibited a lower risk of non-cardiovascular/cancer mortality.
Higher exposure to UV light was associated with lower all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease mortality, and cancer mortality.
“In the UK and other nations with substantial European descendant populations, the emphasis of public health messaging has been on the dangers of ultraviolet (UV) exposure,” stated Professor Chris Dibben from the University of Edinburgh and his team.
“This is particularly concerning considering the established connection between UV radiation and melanoma development.”
“New findings suggest that the benefits of UV exposure might outweigh the risks, especially in low sunlight settings.”
“Among a group of Swedish women, those with higher sun exposure had a longer life span compared to those who avoided the sun.”
“The reduction in mortality rates is mainly linked to decreased cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular/non-cancer mortality.”
“In a study of Swedish women with moderate sun exposure habits, fair-skinned women had an 8% lower overall mortality rate compared to non-fair-skinned women.”
The study utilized genetic and health data from UK Biobank to examine UV exposure in 395,000 individuals in the UK.
Participants were limited to individuals of European descent with fair skin due to the impact of skin pigment on the body’s response to UV radiation.
Researchers utilized two criteria to identify individuals with higher UV exposure levels.
They assessed participants’ geographical locations to determine their average yearly solar energy exposure and whether they utilized sunbeds.
Living in regions with elevated UV levels, like Cornwall, was correlated with a lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease and cancer (19% and 12% respectively) compared to regions with lower UV levels, such as Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Use of sunbeds was connected to a 23% reduced risk of cardiovascular disease death and a 14% lower risk of cancer-related death compared to non-users.
Given that sunbed users might also engage in more sunbathing, this result could reflect broader sun-seeking behaviors.
Individuals with higher estimated UV exposure showed a slightly greater risk of melanoma diagnosis but not an increased risk of mortality from melanoma.
“Our study contributes to the mounting evidence indicating that relatively high UV exposure in low-light environments could be advantageous for health,” Prof Dibben remarked.
“While increased UV radiation exposure may elevate skin cancer risk, this risk seems to be outweighed by the considerable reduction in cancer and cardiovascular-related disease mortality.”
“Dermatologists have traditionally only considered sunlight’s potential harm to the skin based on experiences of white individuals in sunny nations like Australia,” noted Professor Richard Weller from the University of Edinburgh.
“It is essential to safeguard your skin during periods of very high UV index, but this study indicates that the balance of benefits and risks from sun exposure in the UK may differ significantly from sunnier locales.”
Reference: Survey results Published in the journal Health and location.
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Andrew C. Stevenson others2024. Higher UV exposure is associated with reduced mortality: analysis of data from the UK Biobank cohort study. Health and location 89: 103328; doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2024.103328
Source: www.sci.news
