Slip Slop Slap over the top leads to crucial vitamin D loss

The Slip, Slop, Slap skin-cancer campaign has apparently been so successful over 25 years that many Australians are now faced with vitamin D deficiencies because of a fear of sun exposure.

A number of leading endocrinologists and orthopedic specialists say that the highly effective message to Australians to cover-up in summer had led to vitamin D deficiencies in between 30% and 70% of the population. The experts recommend people spending some safe time in the sun each day because the crucial bone-strengthening vitamin D is only produced when skin is exposed to sunlight.

Endocrinologist Professor Peter Ebeling, head of Osteoporosis Australia, has linked the low levels of vitamin D to a huge increase in the number of people being treated in hospitals with osteoporosis-related broken bones. The daily average has jumped from 177 to 262 in the past six years and cost the health system $1.9 billion a year for treatment.

Professor Ebeling said a study in early 2007 showed that more than three-quarters of general patients at the Royal Melbourne Hospital had lower than recommended levels of vitamin D. “It’s very serious. A lot of us have been worried about it for a long time but have just realised how widespread it is over the last five to 10 years,” he said.

Recent research in Geelong, Tasmania, and south-east Queensland found that around 40% of people had inadequate vitamin D levels. In winter the number of Geelong women with low levels increased from 40% to 54%.

Bone disorder expert John Wark, of Royal Melbourne Hospital, said the trend was bad for millions of middle-aged Australians. “Crisis is a pretty emotive word but all the available information would suggest that this is likely to impact badly on the health of older people unless we can find a solution, rather than getting everybody popping vitamin D tablets,” he said