STORY AT-A-GLANCE
– The recommendation to avoid sun exposure and always use sunblock when outdoors may be the greatest public health mistake of the 20th century
– Previous research has found vitamin D may prevent 30 deaths for each death caused by skin cancer
– For every skin cancer death in northern Europe, 60 to 100 people die from stroke or heart disease related to hypertension — a health problem associated with vitamin D deficiency, and lack of sun exposure in particular