Who is at risk of vitamin D deficiency?

Some people may not get enough sun exposure to maintain good vitamin D levels and may be at risk of vitamin D deficiency.

This includes:

  • people with naturally very dark skin; the pigment in their skin reduces UV penetration so they need more UV exposure to make vitamin D.
  • people who cover their skin for religious or cultural reasons
  • older Victorians, particularly those who are housebound or in institutional care
  • babies and infants of vitamin D deficient mothers, especially if breastfed
  • people with osteoporosis.

If you are concerned about your vitamin D levels, visit your doctor. Levels can be checked with a simple blood test.

Download the information sheet Vitamin D and UV radiation [pdf 113K] for more information. The information sheet is also available in languages other than English.

Resources for health professionals

The following resources are intended to assist health clinicians, health promotion providers and community workers in providing consistent messages about low vitamin D in the community.  It outlines population groups at risk of having low vitamin D, sun exposure and vitamin D, vitamin D treatment levels and follow-up, both in adults and children.

Low Vitamin D in Victoria: Key health messages for doctors, nurses and allied health [pdf 521K]

Low vitamin D in Victoria: Key health promotion messages for community health workers [pdf 490K]

UV Alert

For: Melbourne, 12 Mar

Sun Protection required: 10:20 am to 4:40 pm

Alert: 8

Other locations around Victoria

What is the UV Alert?

Also refer to:

Slip on a Shirt Slop on Sunscreen Slap on a Hat Seek Shade Slide on some Sunglasses