Melanin in the skin forms a better protective barrier from the sun; therefore it doesn't absorb the Vitamin D from the sun as easily as paler skin tones . While this is useful in a country with a hot and sunny climate, it makes it more difficult if you are a person of colour in the UK or another cold country. You aren't receiving the Vitamin D and sunshine that you need all year round in order to maintain a healthy immune system. We just purely don't get enough sun here!

What are the negative effects of Vitamin D deficiency for this group?

People of Ethnic minority backgrounds, especially children, are proven to have a higher risk of developing rickets from Vitamin D deficiency .

There has also been more awareness of the contribution that Vitamin D Deficiency has towards the progression of chronic diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes and Sickle Cell Anaemia which are diseases that are largely prevalent in South Asian and African/Afro Caribbean communities.

If you are a POC who already has sickle cell anaemia then there have already been studies of the benefits of taking Vitamin D. People with sickle cell disease are at high risk for low levels of Vitamin D, which can cause chronic pain, osteoporosis, bone fractures, and muscle weakness. In addition, not having enough Vitamin D causes bones to grow poorly, leading to shorter height than expected. Also, some people with sickle cell disease who are treated for Vitamin D deficiency may have less pain than those who are not treated .

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