Environmental Health Indicators

Indicators at a glance – UV exposure

This section summarises the latest Environmental Health Indicators about UV (ultraviolet) exposure and health in New Zealand.

Our main exposure to UV radiation is through sunlight. UV exposure can affect our health in a number of ways:

Too much UV exposure can cause health problems, including melanoma, non-melanoma skin cancer, and cataracts.
Too little UV exposure can lead to vitamin D deficiency, which can affect bone health.

Indicator	Key findings
UV levels	UV levels are highest during summer, and in northern New Zealand. UV levels are 'very high' or 'extreme' during December and January across most of New Zealand.
Melanoma	In 2017, there were 2,550 melanoma registrations in New Zealand. The melanoma registration rate has decreased since 2008. In 2016, 362 New Zealanders died from melanoma. The melanoma mortality rate has remained relatively stable since 2001. Melanoma registration and mortality rates are consistently higher for males than for females. New Zealand has one of the highest melanoma rates in the world.
Non-melanoma skin cancer	In 2016, 159 New Zealanders died from non-melanoma skin cancer. The mortality rate for non-melanoma skin cancers has remained relatively stable since 2001. Non-melanoma skin cancer mortality rates are significantly higher for males. Mortality rates are also significantly higher among older people.
Vitamin D deficiency	About 4.9% of New Zealand adults (15+ years) had vitamin D deficiency in 2008/09. A further 27.1% of adults were below the recommended level of vitamin D.

Visit the healthspace website to explore maps about selected indicators about melanoma.