Rethinking Sunlight: Why Australia Needs a Balanced Approach to UV Exposure
- Australian Sunscreen Council
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
By the Australian Sunscreen Council
Based on “The Systemic Health Benefits of Sunlight: Beyond Vitamin D” by Richard B. Weller, Journal of Investigative Dermatology (2024).
A Changing View of Sunlight and Health
Epidemiological studies from the United Kingdom and Sweden link sun exposure with reduced all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality. Although some may argue that the situation in Australia is different due to our high UV environment, we are yet to see any local data that conflicts with these findings from the rest of the world.
In his landmark 2024 paper, Professor Richard Weller challenges dermatology’s one-dimensional view of sunlight as purely harmful. He observes that “medical attitudes to sunlight have changed in the last century… from an era of heliotherapy to one in which dermatology advice is firmly opposed to unprotected sun exposure.”
While this shift was well-intentioned, Weller argues that it has gone too far — “the current dermatology approach to sunlight only considers skin health, in particular, risks of skin cancers and photoaging, and fails to take into account systemic health benefits and modern research on mechanisms through which sunlight affects overall health.”
The Evidence: Sunlight and Reduced Mortality
Two of the largest long-term studies ever conducted — one in Sweden, one in the United Kingdom — reveal a consistent and striking finding: people who get more sunlight live longer.
In the Melanoma in Southern Sweden study, “sun-seeking behavior was inversely correlated with all-cause mortality, despite a higher incidence of melanoma.” In other words, even though more sunlight meant slightly more skin cancers, it was associated with significantly fewer deaths overall.
Likewise, the UK Biobank analysis of 377,000 participants found that “increased sun exposure correlates with reduced all-cause mortality, particularly related to reduced cardiovascular mortality but also cancer mortality.”
Weller summarizes these findings simply: “For white-skinned inhabitants of Northern Europe, the benefits of sunlight exposure outweigh the risks.”
Beyond Vitamin D: The Nitric Oxide Discovery
Vitamin D has long been assumed to explain sunlight’s health effects. Yet, as Weller notes, “oral vitamin D supplementation fails to show any benefit in reducing cardiovascular disease, hypertension, cerebrovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, or multiple sclerosis.”
His research points to another mechanism — nitric oxide (NO), a natural compound stored in the skin. “UVA irradiation of human volunteers mobilizes nitric oxide from cutaneous stores to the circulation where it lowers blood pressure through arterial dilatation,” he explains.
Given that high blood pressure is the world’s leading cause of death, this discovery is profound. It means sunlight itself — not supplements — may help prevent cardiovascular disease, our single greatest killer.
Sunlight, Immunity, and Infection
The paper also explores how sunlight influences immune function and infection risk. During the COVID-19 pandemic, “infection rate increased autumn to winter and decreased spring to summer,” and “COVID-19 mortality correlated inversely with local UV environment.”
This seasonal and latitudinal pattern, seen globally, suggests that moderate UV exposure strengthens immune regulation in ways we are only beginning to understand. As Weller writes, “UV has pleiotropic effects on immunity, including activation of the innate immune system.”
Implications for Australia
Australia’s relationship with the sun is unique — our fair-skinned population lives under some of the highest UV levels on earth, and our public health system has rightly focused on preventing skin cancer for decades. But as the evidence evolves, our guidance must evolve too.
Weller concludes: “Dermatologists and skin researchers have made great progress in understanding some aspects of the interaction between UV and our skin, but we need to stand back and take a more holistic view of UV exposure and human health.”
He also points out that the United Nations Environmental Effects Assessment Panel (2023) and an Australian panel endorsed by the Cancer Council and Australasian College of Dermatologists (2024) now both recognize that “sunlight has beneficial effects that should be considered in formulating policy on sunlight exposure.”
A Balanced Policy for the Future
As the Australian Sunscreen Council, we fully support ongoing public education about sun safety — but we also believe Australia’s national guidance should reflect the full picture of sunlight’s effects on health.
Our recommendations:
Acknowledge that moderate UV exposure has proven systemic benefits — for cardiovascular, metabolic, and immune health.
Focus public health messaging on early detection and regular skin screening, rather than universal daily sunscreen use for all Australians regardless of risk profile.
Tailor advice to skin type, occupation, and location, recognizing that not every Australian faces the same level of UV vulnerability.
Continue promoting high-quality, broad-spectrum sunscreens as a key tool for protection when exposure is prolonged or unavoidable.
Encourage further Australian research into the systemic health impacts of UV exposure to inform evidence-based public policy.
Conclusion
As Professor Weller cautions, “We should take note.”
The data are clear: sunlight, in moderation, is not our enemy. It is a fundamental part of human biology — one that influences blood pressure, immunity, and long-term health. Australia’s next generation of sun safety guidance should reflect this complexity, balancing protection from overexposure with recognition of sunlight’s essential role in wellbeing.
By combining world-class sunscreens, better early detection, and updated national advice, we can protect Australians from skin cancer without depriving them of the sunlight their bodies evolved to need.
About the Australian Sunscreen Council
The Australian Sunscreen Council (ASC) is the national industry body representing manufacturers, researchers, and advocates committed to advancing the safety, effectiveness, and innovation of sun protection products in Australia.
Our mission is to promote evidence-based policy, ensure regulatory transparency, and educate the public about safe and effective UV protection. The ASC works collaboratively with government agencies, dermatologists, and public health experts to improve sunscreen standards and to support balanced, science-driven sun safety advice for all Australians.
Learn more at www.australiansunscreencouncil.org
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