Light and health: a century after the therapeutic use of UV light and vitamin D, hormones advanced medical care

Abstract

Contemporary medicine focuses its therapeutic approaches on the personalized targeting of key molecular elements with respect to mechanism-based pathways, or molecules involved in pathophysiologically relevant processes that are causally related (or indeed associated with various diseases). Classical chemicals-based pharmaceuticals, recombinant proteins, monoclonal antibodies and biologicals, and (very recently) mRNA-based vaccines, have successfully expanded the therapeutic spectrum, whilst efficient preventive approaches have proved challenging. More than a century ago, a prevailing condition that adversely affected child development and was termed the ‘English disease’, but which was widespread over most industrialized regions and major cities in the northern hemisphere, received high attention. Rickets had been associated with poor nutrition, lack of sun exposure, poor life conditions and low socioeconomic status. First tentative nutritional (cod oil) and therapeutic (sunlight exposure) measures achieved initial and significant successes. However, families living on low incomes could not afford to prevent this disease by exposing their offspring to fresh air and sun during the summer months in southern European regions.