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

Abstract

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.

Keywords: Environmental health; Epidemiology; Health geography; Mortality; Population health; Ultraviolet.