Bring on the sunshine

UNTIL recently, few scientists or clinicians have paid much attention to the relationship between sunlight and health.

Much of the research in this area has focussed on the hazards of over-exposure to sunlight, and its confirmed association with increased skin cancer risk — a big concern for pale-skinned populations like the indigenous Irish.

But little consideration has been given to the things we might be missing out on if we (correctly) limit our exposure to sunshine over the summer months.