title: Sun exposure over a lifetime in Australian adults from latitudinally diverse regions.
abstract: Spatio-temporal patterns in sun exposure underlie variations in skin cancer incidence and vitamin D deficiency, indicate effectiveness of sun protection programs and provide insights into future health risks. From 558 adults across four regions of Australia (Brisbane (27°S), Newcastle (33°S), Geelong and the Western Districts of Victoria (37°S) and Tasmania (43°S)), we collected: self-report data on time-in-the-sun from age 6 years; natural skin color and ethnicity; silicone skin casts (for cumulative skin damage); and serum for vitamin D status. Ambient ultraviolet radiation (UVR) at the location of residence, with time-in-the-sun, was used to calculate a "UVR dose" for each year of life. Individuals maintained their ranking compared to their peers for time-in-the-sun in summer compared to winter and across ages (Spearman rho 0.24-0.84, all P < 0.001). Time-in-the-sun decreased with age in all birth cohorts, and over calendar time. Summer time-in-the-sun increased with increasing latitude (P < 0.001). Seasonal variation in vitamin D status had greater amplitude and vitamin D deficiency increased with increasing latitude. Temporal patterns are consistent with effectiveness of sun protection programs. Higher relative time-in-the-sun persists from childhood through adulthood. Lower summer time-in-the-sun in the warmest location may have implications for predictions of UVR-related health risks of climate change.
authors: National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia. robyn.lucas@anu.edu.au
authors: Robyn M
authors: RM
authors: Lucas
authors: Patricia
authors: P
authors: Valery
authors: Ingrid
authors: I
authors: van der Mei
authors: Terence
authors: T
authors: Dwyer
authors: Michael P
authors: MP
authors: Pender
authors: Bruce
authors: B
authors: Taylor
authors: Anne-Louise
authors: AL
authors: Ponsonby
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011874:Radiometry; D012621:Seasons; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry; D012880:Skin Pigmentation / Q000502:physiology; D013472:Sunlight; D013997:Time Factors; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000097:blood*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D