Professor Prue Hart has been honored by her peers as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences. This recognition is a testament to her innovative scientific research and leadership in the field of health and medicine.
Sunlight Exposure Offers Surprising Health Benefits
As summer approaches, Professor Hart from the Kids Research Institute and the University of Western Australia (UWA) emphasizes the positive effects of sunlight on health. Her work highlights how moderate sun exposure can be beneficial rather than harmful.
“Spreading the news about the benefit of sunlight to multiple body systems—mental, immune, bone, skeletal, cardiovascular, metabolic, and ocular—is crucial,” states Professor Hart. She believes that the benefits of sunlight far outweigh the risks for most people.
Insight into Sunlight and Human Evolution
Professor Hart explains that humans originally had dark pigmented skin. As populations migrated from equatorial regions to Europe and Asia, they evolved lighter skin to maximize vitamin D synthesis from reduced sunlight exposure. This evolutionary change is significant, especially in relation to autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis, which are more prevalent in populations further from the equator.
Research Findings on Ultraviolet Radiation
To explore the health benefits of sunlight, Professor Hart conducted a comprehensive study on narrowband ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. This treatment is typically used for inflammatory skin conditions and was investigated for patients with early-stage multiple sclerosis.
Her longitudinal research, analyzing bio-banked serum samples, indicated that narrowband UVB has anti-inflammatory effects. It helps to calm immune responses linked to autoimmune disorders.
Sun Safety and Recommendations
- Avoid sunburn at all costs.
- Moderate, non-burning sun exposure offers multiple health benefits.
- Wearing protective gear such as hats is essential to minimize skin cancer risk.
While Professor Hart champions the advantages of sunlight, she also underscores the importance of safety. “You can have too much of a good thing,” she warns, reinforcing that educational outreach about sun safety is vital.
Ongoing Research and Future Directions
Professor Hart’s work has led to publications in prestigious scientific journals, notably in the June 2025 edition of Scientific American. With a PhD from the University of Queensland, she has contributed significantly to research both in Australia and abroad, including in Denmark.
Currently affiliated with the Kids Research Institute at UWA, she is also part of the scientific advisory team for Cytokind, a US company expanding light therapy for MS fatigue. Moving forward, she aims to gather more empirical evidence on the systemic benefits of sun exposure and its importance for overall health.
On October 29, 2025, Professor Hart was officially inducted as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences. This accolade recognizes her global leadership and pioneering research efforts in improving public health through understanding sunlight exposure.
