The impact of solar ultraviolet radiation on human health in sub-Saharan Africa

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorWright, Caradee Y
dc.contributor.authorNorval, Mary
dc.contributor.authorSummers, Beverley
dc.contributor.authorDavids, Lester
dc.contributor.authorCoetzee, Gerrie
dc.contributor.authorOriowo, Matthew O
dc.date.accessioned2021-10-08T07:16:06Z
dc.date.available2021-10-08T07:16:06Z
dc.date.issued2012
dc.description.abstractPhotoprotection messages and 'SunSmart' programmes exist mainly to prevent skin cancers and, more recently, to encourage adequate personal sun exposure to elicit a vitamin D response for healthy bone and immune systems. Several developed countries maintain intensive research networks and monitor solar UV radiation to support awareness campaigns and intervention development. The situation is different in sub-Saharan Africa. Adequate empirical evidence of the impact of solar UV radiation on human health, even for melanomas and cataracts, is lacking, and is overshadowed by other factors such as communicable diseases, especially HIV, AIDS and tuberculosis. In addition, the established photoprotection messages used in developed countries have been adopted and implemented in a limited number of sub-Saharan countries but with minimal understanding of local conditions and behaviours. In this review, we consider the current evidence for sun-related effects on human health in sub-Saharan Africa, summarise published research and identify key issues. Data on the prevalence of human diseases affected by solar UV radiation in all subpopulations are not generally available, financial support is insufficient and the infrastructure to address these and other related topics is inadequate. Despite these limitations, considerable progress may be made regarding the management of solar UV radiation related health outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa, provided researchers collaborate and resources are allocated appropriately.
dc.identifier.apacitationWright, C. Y., Norval, M., Summers, B., Davids, L., Coetzee, G., & Oriowo, M. O. (2012). The impact of solar ultraviolet radiation on human health in sub-Saharan Africa. <i>South African Journal of Science</i>, 108(43416), 174 - 177. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34769en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationWright, Caradee Y, Mary Norval, Beverley Summers, Lester Davids, Gerrie Coetzee, and Matthew O Oriowo "The impact of solar ultraviolet radiation on human health in sub-Saharan Africa." <i>South African Journal of Science</i> 108, 43416. (2012): 174 - 177. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34769en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationWright, C.Y., Norval, M., Summers, B., Davids, L., Coetzee, G. & Oriowo, M.O. 2012. The impact of solar ultraviolet radiation on human health in sub-Saharan Africa. <i>South African Journal of Science.</i> 108(43416):174 - 177. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34769en_ZA
dc.identifier.issn0038-2353
dc.identifier.issn1996-7489
dc.identifier.ris TY - Journal Article AU - Wright, Caradee Y AU - Norval, Mary AU - Summers, Beverley AU - Davids, Lester AU - Coetzee, Gerrie AU - Oriowo, Matthew O AB - Photoprotection messages and 'SunSmart' programmes exist mainly to prevent skin cancers and, more recently, to encourage adequate personal sun exposure to elicit a vitamin D response for healthy bone and immune systems. Several developed countries maintain intensive research networks and monitor solar UV radiation to support awareness campaigns and intervention development. The situation is different in sub-Saharan Africa. Adequate empirical evidence of the impact of solar UV radiation on human health, even for melanomas and cataracts, is lacking, and is overshadowed by other factors such as communicable diseases, especially HIV, AIDS and tuberculosis. In addition, the established photoprotection messages used in developed countries have been adopted and implemented in a limited number of sub-Saharan countries but with minimal understanding of local conditions and behaviours. In this review, we consider the current evidence for sun-related effects on human health in sub-Saharan Africa, summarise published research and identify key issues. Data on the prevalence of human diseases affected by solar UV radiation in all subpopulations are not generally available, financial support is insufficient and the infrastructure to address these and other related topics is inadequate. Despite these limitations, considerable progress may be made regarding the management of solar UV radiation related health outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa, provided researchers collaborate and resources are allocated appropriately. DA - 2012 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town IS - 43416 J1 - South African Journal of Science LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PY - 2012 SM - 0038-2353 SM - 1996-7489 T1 - The impact of solar ultraviolet radiation on human health in sub-Saharan Africa TI - The impact of solar ultraviolet radiation on human health in sub-Saharan Africa UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34769 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/34769
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationWright CY, Norval M, Summers B, Davids L, Coetzee G, Oriowo MO. The impact of solar ultraviolet radiation on human health in sub-Saharan Africa. South African Journal of Science. 2012;108(43416):174 - 177. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34769.en_ZA
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Human Biology
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Health Sciences
dc.sourceSouth African Journal of Science
dc.source.journalissue43416
dc.source.journalvolume108
dc.source.pagination174 - 177
dc.source.urihttps://dx.doi.org/10.4102/sajs.v108i11/12.1245
dc.subject.othersolar UV radiation
dc.subject.otherhuman health
dc.subject.otherskin cancer
dc.subject.othersub-Saharan Africa
dc.subject.othersun protection
dc.titleThe impact of solar ultraviolet radiation on human health in sub-Saharan Africa
dc.typeJournal Article
uct.type.publicationResearch
uct.type.resourceJournal Article
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
WrightCaradeeY_impactsolar_ult_2012.pdf
Size:
407.01 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Download
Collections
Journal Articles