Higher ultraviolet light exposure is associated with lower mortality: An analysis of data from the UK biobank cohort study

• Published in: Health & place Vol. 89; p. 103328
• Main Authors: Stevenson, Andrew C., Clemens, Tom, Pairo-Castineira, Erola, Webb, David J., Weller, Richard B., Dibben, Chris
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2024
• Subjects: Aged; Biological Specimen Banks; Cardiovascular Diseases - mortality; Cohort Studies; Environmental health; Epidemiology; Female; Health geography; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Mortality; Mortality - trends; Neoplasms - mortality; Population health; UK Biobank; Ultraviolet; Ultraviolet Rays - adverse effects; United Kingdom - epidemiology; Vitamin D; United Kingdom; Ultraviolet; Epidemiology; Mortality; Environmental health; Health geography; Population health
• ISSN: 1353-8292; 1873-2054; 1873-2054
• DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2024.103328

We aimed to examine associations between ultraviolet (UV) exposure and mortality among older adults in the United Kingdom (UK). We used data from UK Biobank participants with two UV exposures, validated with measured vitamin D levels: solarium use and annual average residential shortwave radiation. Associations between the UV exposures, all-cause and cause-specific mortality were examined as adjusted hazard ratios. The UV exposures were inversely associated with all-cause, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer mortality. Solarium users were also at a lower risk of non-CVD/non-cancer mortality. The benefits of UV exposure may outweigh the risks in low-sunlight countries. •Evidence suggests benefits of ultraviolet (UV) exposure for several health outcomes.•Associations between behavioural and geographic UV exposures and mortality were assessed.•Higher UV exposures were associated with lower all-cause, cardiovascular and cancer mortality.•Higher behavioural UV exposure was also associated with lower non-CVD/non-cancer mortality.•Public health messaging on sunlight exposure may need reconsideration.