{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,6]],"date-time":"2026-10-06T19:17:24Z","timestamp":1791314244712,"version":"4.3.1"},"reference-count":87,"publisher":"American Public Health Association","issue":"10","content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Am J Public Health"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2007,10]]},"abstract":"<jats:p>Rickets, the state of vitamin D deficiency, has reemerged as a potential problem in the United States. At the dawn of the 20th century, rickets was pervasive among infants residing in the polluted cities of Europe and the northeastern United States.<\/jats:p>\n                  <jats:p>Important milestones in the history of rickets were the understanding that photosynthesized vitamin D and dietary vitamin D were similar, the discernment of the antirachitic potency of artificial and natural ultraviolet rays, and the discovery that ultraviolet irradiation could render various foods antirachitic. Clinical guidelines were instituted to promote sensible exposure to sunlight and artificial ultraviolet radiation.<\/jats:p>\n                  <jats:p>In addition, irradiated ergosterol from yeast became the major vitamin D source for food fortification and the treatment of rickets, leading to a public health campaign to eradicate rickets by the 1930s. We review the sequence and turn of events pertaining to the discovery of vitamin D and the strategies for the eradication of the reemerging rickets problem.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.2105\/ajph.2006.091736","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2007,8,29]],"date-time":"2007-08-29T21:31:43Z","timestamp":1188423103000},"page":"1746-1754","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":114,"title":["SOLAR Ultraviolet Radiation AND Vitamin D"],"prefix":"10.2105","volume":"97","author":[{"given":"Kumaravel","family":"Rajakumar","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Kumaravel Rajakumar is with the Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pa. Susan L. Greenspan is with the Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh. Stephen B. Thomas is with the Center for Minority Health, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh. Michael F. Holick is with the Department of Medicine, Physiology and Biophysics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Mass."}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Susan L.","family":"Greenspan","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Kumaravel Rajakumar is with the Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pa. Susan L. Greenspan is with the Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh. Stephen B. Thomas is with the Center for Minority Health, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh. Michael F. Holick is with the Department of Medicine, Physiology and Biophysics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Mass."}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Stephen B.","family":"Thomas","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Kumaravel Rajakumar is with the Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pa. Susan L. Greenspan is with the Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh. Stephen B. Thomas is with the Center for Minority Health, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh. Michael F. Holick is with the Department of Medicine, Physiology and Biophysics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Mass."}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Michael F.","family":"Holick","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Kumaravel Rajakumar is with the Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pa. Susan L. Greenspan is with the Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh. Stephen B. Thomas is with the Center for Minority Health, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh. Michael F. Holick is with the Department of Medicine, Physiology and Biophysics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Mass."}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"844","reference":[{"key":"R1","unstructured":"Severe malnutrition among young children\u2014Georgia, January 1997\u2013June 1999.\n                      MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep\n                      . 2001;50:224\u2013227."},{"key":"R2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1542\/peds.107.4.e45"},{"key":"R3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1067\/mpd.2000.109009"},{"key":"R4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1097\/00004694-200107000-00017"},{"key":"R5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1093\/ajcn\/80.6.1697S"},{"key":"R6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1136\/adc.2003.031385"},{"key":"R7","unstructured":"Eugster EA, Sane KS, Brown DM. Minnesota rickets: need for policy changes to support vitamin D supplementation.\n                      Minn Med\n                      . 1996;79:29\u201332."},{"key":"R8","unstructured":"Binet A, Kooh SW. Persistence of vitamin D deficiency rickets in Toronto in the 1990s.\n                      Can J Public Health\n                      . 1996; 87:227\u2013230."},{"key":"R9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1172\/JCI29449"},{"key":"R12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1093\/ajcn\/80.6.1752S"},{"key":"R13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1001\/archpedi.159.4.335"},{"key":"R14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1097\/00060793-200202000-00011"},{"key":"R15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1093\/ajcn\/60.4.619"},{"key":"R16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1038\/247563a0"},{"key":"R17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/S0140-6736(74)92717-2"},{"key":"R18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1210\/jcem-67-2-373"},{"key":"R19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1126\/science.6251551"},{"key":"R20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1093\/ajcn\/67.6.1108"},{"key":"R21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1093\/ajcn\/67.6.1232"},{"key":"R22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/S0140-6736(82)90214-8"},{"key":"R23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1093\/ajcn\/76.1.187"},{"key":"R24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1093\/jn\/135.10.2478"},{"key":"R25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1542\/peds.111.4.908"},{"key":"R27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.4065\/81.3.353"},{"key":"R28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1542\/peds.107.4.e53"},{"key":"R29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/S8756-3282(02)00692-0"},{"key":"R30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1001\/archpedi.158.6.531"},{"key":"R31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jada.2005.03.002"},{"key":"R32","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1093\/ajcn\/82.2.477"},{"key":"R33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1093\/ajcn\/81.5.1060"},{"key":"R34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1097\/00007632-200301150-00015"},{"key":"R35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1093\/qjmed\/hci096"},{"key":"R38","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1542\/peds.112.2.e132"},{"key":"R42","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1093\/ajcn\/61.3.638S"},{"key":"R43","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1562\/2004-11-19-RN-375"},{"key":"R44","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1136\/adc.87.2.111"},{"key":"R45","unstructured":"Hide AJ. Studies on the history of rickets, II: the roles of cod liver oil and light.\n                      Pharm Hist\n                      . 1975;17:13\u201320."},{"key":"R46","unstructured":"Schutte D. Beobachtungen Uber den Nutzen des Berger Leberthrans (Oleum jecoris Aseli, von\n                      Gadus asellus\n                      L). (First report on the use of cod liver oil in the treatment of rickets.)\n                      Arch Med Erfahr.\n                      1824;2:79\u201392."},{"key":"R47","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Guy RA. The history of cod liver oil as a remedy.\n                      Am J Dis Child\n                      . 1923; 26:112\u2013116.","DOI":"10.1001\/archpedi.1923.04120140011002"},{"key":"R48","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Mellanby E. An experimental investigation on rickets.\n                      Lancet\n                      . 1919;1: 407\u2013412.","DOI":"10.1016\/S0140-6736(01)25465-8"},{"key":"R49","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Shipley PG, Park EA, McCollum EV, Simmonds N, Parsons HT. Studies on experimental rickets, II: the effect of cod liver oil administered to rats with experimental rickets.\n                      J Biol Chem\n                      . 1921;45: 343\u2013348.","DOI":"10.1016\/S0021-9258(18)86205-6"},{"key":"R50","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"McCollum EV, Simmonds N, Becker JE, Shipley PG. Studies on experimental rickets, XXI: an experimental demonstration of the existence of a vitamin which promotes calcium deposition.\n                      J Biol Chem\n                      . 1922;53:293\u2013312.","DOI":"10.1016\/S0021-9258(18)85783-0"},{"key":"R51","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1055\/s-0028-1137830"},{"key":"R52","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1038\/143121a0"},{"key":"R53","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1093\/ajcn\/80.6.1678S"},{"key":"R54","unstructured":"Palm T. The geographical distribution and etiology of rickets.\n                      Practitioner\n                      . 1890;45:270\u2013279,321\u2013342."},{"key":"R55","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1152\/physrev.1923.3.1.106"},{"key":"R56","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Park EA, Guy RA, Powers GF. A proof of the regulatory influence of cod liver oil on calcium and phosphorus metabolism.\n                      Am J Dis Child\n                      . 1923;26: 103\u2013111.","DOI":"10.1001\/archpedi.1923.04120140002001"},{"key":"R57","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1001\/jama.1925.02670090012004"},{"key":"R59","unstructured":"Hess AF. Influence of light in the prevention and cure of rickets.\n                      Lancet\n                      . 1922;ii:367. Reprinted in: Hess AF.\n                      Collected Writings\n                      . Vol 2. Springfield, Ill: Charles C. Thomas; 1936:5\u201314."},{"key":"R60","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1001\/jama.1922.02640690001001"},{"key":"R61","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1001\/jama.1918.02600130004002"},{"key":"R62","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/BF02405328"},{"key":"R63","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/02724936.1998.11833490"},{"key":"R64","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/S0899-9007(01)00724-9"},{"key":"R65","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1136\/adc.2004.069575"},{"key":"R66","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1179\/146532806X90556"},{"key":"R67","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/S0899-9007(01)00676-1"},{"key":"R68","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1017\/S0025727300021785"},{"key":"R69","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3181\/00379727-18-153"},{"key":"R70","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Howland J, Kramer B. Calcium and phosphorus in the serum in relation to rickets.\n                      Am J Dis Child\n                      . 1921;22:105.","DOI":"10.1001\/archpedi.1921.04120020002001"},{"key":"R71","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1001\/jama.1922.02640540035011"},{"key":"R72","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1001\/jama.1923.02640370023008"},{"key":"R73","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1001\/jama.1925.02660400021012"},{"key":"R74","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1126\/science.6281884"},{"key":"R75","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1093\/jn\/129.5.923"},{"key":"R76","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Steenbock H, Nelson EM. Fat-soluble vitamine, XIII: light in its relation to ophthalmia and growth.\n                      J Biol Chem\n                      . 1923;56:355\u2013373.","DOI":"10.1016\/S0021-9258(18)85573-9"},{"key":"R77","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1042\/bj0170364"},{"key":"R78","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1042\/bj0180340"},{"key":"R79","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Nelson EM, Steenbock H. Fat-soluble vitamins, XXI: observations bearing on the alleged induction of growth-promoting properties in air by irradiation with ultra-violet light.\n                      J Biol Chem\n                      . 1925; 62:575\u2013593.","DOI":"10.1016\/S0021-9258(18)85043-8"},{"key":"R80","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Nelson EM, Steenbock H. Fat-soluble vitamins, XXV: further observations on the anti-rachitic action of irradiated animals on the non-irradiated when placed in the same cage.\n                      Am J Physiol\n                      . 1925;73:341\u2013345.","DOI":"10.1152\/ajplegacy.1925.73.2.341"},{"key":"R81","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Steenbock H, Black A. Fat-soluble vitamins: the induction of growth-promoting and calcifying properties in a ration by exposure to ultra-violet light.\n                      J Biol Chem\n                      . 1924;61:405\u2013422.","DOI":"10.1016\/S0021-9258(18)85139-0"},{"key":"R82","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1126\/science.60.1549.224"},{"key":"R83","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1086\/355081"},{"key":"R84","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Hess AF, Weinstock M. Antirachitic properties imparted to inert fluids and to green vegetables by ultraviolet radiation.\n                      J Biol Chem\n                      . 1924;62: 301\u2013313. Reprinted in: Hess AF.\n                      Collected Writings\n                      . Vol 2. Springfield, Ill: Charles C. Thomas; 1936:136\u2013146.","DOI":"10.1016\/S0021-9258(18)85064-5"},{"key":"R88","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Hess AF, Weinstock M, Helman FD. The antirachitic value of irradiated phytosterol and cholesterol. I.\n                      J Biol Chem\n                      . 1925;63:305\u2013309.","DOI":"10.1016\/S0021-9258(18)84999-7"},{"key":"R89","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1093\/jn\/134.6.1299"},{"key":"R90","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3181\/00379727-24-3375"},{"key":"R91","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1042\/bj0210078"},{"key":"R92","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Waddell J. The provitamin D of cholesterol, I: the antirachitic efficacy of irradiated cholesterol.\n                      J Biol Chem\n                      . 1934; 105:711\u2013739.","DOI":"10.1016\/S0021-9258(18)75507-5"},{"key":"R93","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1365-2265.1977.tb01997.x"},{"key":"R94","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1001\/jama.1938.72790390002011"},{"key":"R95","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/S0140-6736(64)91516-8"},{"key":"R96","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj.2.4985.149"},{"key":"R97","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1079\/PNS2003297"},{"key":"R98","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1038\/sj.ejcn.1602414"},{"key":"R99","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1093\/jn\/136.4.1130"}],"container-title":["American Journal of Public Health"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/ajph.aphapublications.org\/doi\/pdf\/10.2105\/AJPH.2006.091736","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2022,5,9]],"date-time":"2022-05-09T18:20:37Z","timestamp":1652120437000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/ajph.aphapublications.org\/doi\/full\/10.2105\/AJPH.2006.091736"}},"subtitle":["A Historical Perspective"],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2007,10]]},"references-count":87,"journal-issue":{"issue":"10","published-print":{"date-parts":[[2007,10]]}},"alternative-id":["10.2105\/AJPH.2006.091736"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.2105\/ajph.2006.091736","relation":{},"ISSN":["0090-0036","1541-0048"],"issn-type":[{"value":"0090-0036","type":"print"},{"value":"1541-0048","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2007,10]]}}}