GrassrootsHealth Celebrates a Decade of Empowering the Public with Science-Backed Sunshine Education

ENCINITAS, CA (May 1, 2025) – This May, GrassrootsHealth proudly celebrates the 10th Annual Sunshine Month, a campaign that has educated millions over the past decade about the critical role of sensible sunshine exposure in maintaining optimal health, preventing disease, and promoting longevity.

With a decade of momentum behind it, Sunshine Month 2025 carries an urgent message:

many health crises faced today are simply due to sunshine deficiency—sensible sunshine exposure is the solution to the problem, and it is easy, safe, and it’s time to act now.

Why Sunshine Matters More Than Ever

Both physical and mental health have declined over the last several decades, meanwhile, fear of the sun and skin cancer has pushed many individuals indoors or into habits that routinely block their body’s natural reactions to sunlight. Far beyond its role in producing vitamin D, sunlight exposure triggers a cascade of vital biochemical reactions in the body—including the production of nitric oxide, serotonin, melatonin, and beta-endorphins. These molecules are involved in immune regulation, cardiovascular health, mood, sleep, brain function, and protection against chronic disease.

As public fear of skin cancer has led to widespread sun avoidance, research now confirms that this shift has come with unintended health consequences, whereas regular, sensible sunshine exposure has been linked to better health outcomes:

• A landmark study showed that sun avoiders had mortality rates similar to smokers, with life expectancy shortened by up to 2.1 years compared to those with high sun exposure.
• Inadequate sun exposure has been linked to increased risk of 20+ types of cancer, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, depression, cognitive decline, and more.
• A 2024 study involving 395,000 individuals found that solarium users and individuals living in areas with more sunlight had lower risks of all cause, cancer, and CVD mortality; more specifically, solarium users had a 15% lower risk of all-cause mortality, a 23% lower risk of cardio-vascular disease mortality, a 14% lower risk of cancer mortality, and a 12% lower risk of non-CVD/non-cancer mortality as compared to solarium non-users
• New studies confirm that exposure to UVB, UVA, Infrared and other wavelengths of sunlight directly support the microbiome, enhance brain health, and even inactivate viruses such as influenza and SARS-CoV-2.

“Sunlight is not optional—it’s essential,” says Jen Aliano, Executive Director at GrassrootsHealth. “When people avoid the sun, they’re missing out on an entire symphony of health-promoting effects. Sunshine Month is our way of bringing this science to the public in a safe, empowering way.”

Add Years to Your Health – With Sunshine

This month’s campaign theme reflects the overwhelming evidence that regular, moderate, non-burning sun exposure can significantly increase lifespan and health span. The campaign also spotlights new developments in sunlight science and public health action:

• How to use sunshine exposure safely and effectively for the improvement of health
• Hybrid sunbeds (UVA/UVB + Red Light) as seasonal sunshine alternatives
• Skin-type based exposure guidelines, now officially adopted in Australia
• The role of sunshine in circadian regulation, mitochondrial function, and inflammation control

Sunshine Month offers a learning opportunity for everyone, everywhere!

What’s Happening During This Sunshine Month:

• Free eBook Download: “Add Years to Your Health with Sunshine” – a fully referenced, science-backed guide to safe sun exposure
• Educational Videos and Articles: Featuring top researchers in photobiology and public health
• Personal Sunshine Plans: Tools to help individuals determine their best times for sun exposure based on location, skin type, and UV index
• Vitamin D Testing Campaign: Vitamin D deficiency reflects a sunshine deficiency! The ideal vitamin D blood level is between 40–60 ng/ml (100–150 nmol/L). Get two vitamin D test kits plus the Sunshine eBook to test how this summer’s sun supplements your vitamin D level, with the Sunshine Month Bundle special.
• Fundraising Drive: Support GrassrootsHealth’s mission to bring research into practice faster than traditional public health pathways allow

From Ancient Wisdom to Modern Science

From Hippocrates and Florence Nightingale to today’s top vitamin D and sunlight researchers, the health benefits of sunshine have been recognized throughout history. Heliotherapy was a mainstream treatment for tuberculosis, rickets, skin conditions, and depression long before antibiotics and modern pharmaceuticals emerged. Today, modern research is validating what ancient medicine knew instinctively: the sun can heal us.

Join Us and Take Action

Sunshine Month is a time to rethink our relationship with the sun, and to reclaim it as a vital part of a healthy lifestyle. GrassrootsHealth invites individuals, practitioners, educators, and communities to participate, learn, and share the message.

Visit the GrassrootsHealth Sunshine Month landing page to:

• Download the free eBook
• Access webinars, infographics, and planning tools
• Order vitamin D test kits and track your progress
• Share the message and support the movement

Support the Cause

GrassrootsHealth is a 501c3 nonprofit committed to shifting public health policy and personal practice through cutting-edge research and public education. Your donation directly fuels this movement.
Donate today: www.grassrootshealth.net/donate