There is strong evidence that the three main types of skin cancer are caused by excess harmful sun exposure. Related to this, skin colour has long been established as a risk factor for skin cancer. More recently, there has been significant focus on the potential beneficial aspects of sun exposure, mainly in assisting vitamin D synthesis.  New Zealand has a challenging climate in relation to individuals managing UVR exposure both with regard to minimising skin cancer risk and achieving optimal, year-round serum vitamin D levels. Associated with this challenge, New Zealand is a country of migrants. All migrants, or children of such migrants, could be seen to be geographically displaced when considering both skin cancer and vitamin D.

A focus on the relationship between minimising skin cancer risk and maximising vitamin D uptake among the population throws up major challenges for researchers and health promoters. These challenges, including the many unknowns and uncertainties about vitamin D such as what constitutes an optimal level as well as its association with specific diseases, become even more complex when ethnicity is also considered. While in the immediate future ethnicity appears likely to remain the main frame of reference for assessing risk, based on our analysis, there are dangers in using ethnicity as the key variable on which to base advice concerning the risks and benefits of sun exposure. We consider that skin colour, along with other key variables, such as season and time of day are important.

However, advising about risk-based factors such as skin colour does not rule out using ethnic-based communication channels such as through Māori or Pacific health providers. But communication through ethnic-based channels also has to take account of the complexity of risk factors within their own target group, especially variations in skin colour.

Keywords: skin cancer, vitamin D, skin colour, ethnicity, New Zealand