The importance of Vitamin D and the risks of Hypovitaminosis

Vitamin D deficiency, or hypovitaminosis D, has become a growing concern for both the medical community and the general public in recent years. This is due to increasing awareness of the vital role vitamin D plays in supporting the body’s physiological processes.

The history of vitamin D is closely tied to the prevention of rickets, a disease historically associated with poor bone development. The term “rickets” first appeared in medical literature in 1634, recorded in London’s mortality data. During the Industrial Revolution, many people moved from rural areas to cities, where limited sun exposure contributed to widespread bone health issues, particularly in children. Scientific advancements followed, and by the early 1920s, German pediatrician Kurt Huldschinsky discovered that exposing children with rickets to ultraviolet light could help them recover.

Today, the scientific understanding of vitamin D—often referred to as the “sunshine vitamin“—has evolved considerably. It is now recognized as essential for maintaining bone health and plays a critical role in muscle strength and function. Adequate levels of vitamin D help prevent muscle weakness and reduce the risk of falls, especially in older adults, who are more vulnerable due to reduced muscle strength or conditions like osteoporosis.

In addition, vitamin D is integral to respiratory well-being. Maintaining sufficient levels of vitamin D can help individuals with respiratory conditions by protecting against infections, improving airway function, and reducing the likelihood of complications, thereby enhancing overall quality of life.

Despite its importance, a significant proportion of the global population, including many in Italy, has insufficient vitamin D levels —a condition known as hypovitaminosis. Studies suggest that approximately 50% of people worldwide have inadequate levels, and 20% suffer from severe deficiencies.

The deficiency of this essential vitamin is a subtle issue, often difficult for people to detect as it typically does not present clear clinical symptoms. However, having vitamin D levels below the safe threshold can negatively impact an individual’s health over time.

Sunlight exposure, a balanced diet, and supplementation are key to improving vitamin D levels. Current scientific guidelines also recommend screening for at-risk groups, including the elderly, children, adolescents, individuals with pre-diabetes, and postmenopausal women.

Lusofarmaco’s Awareness Campaigns

Lusofarmaco, a pharmaceutical company founded in 1951 and part of the Menarini Group since 1983, has embraced the challenge by launching three national awareness campaigns on vitamin D deficiency. These awareness campaigns, active from September to December 2024, are carried out in collaboration with three leading pharmacy groups across Italy: Alphega Farmacia, Alma Farmacie, and Dr. Max. 

These initiatives have been endorsed by prominent scientific organizations, including the Italian Society of Endocrinology (SIE) and major respiratory societies such as the Italian Society of Pneumology (SIP) and the Italian Association of Hospital Pneumologists (AIPO), highlighting the importance of the project.

The campaigns aim to provide as many people as possible with free tests to measure their blood vitamin D levels via a capillary blood sample at participating pharmacies.

The test is offered in two formats: a diagnostic tool that provides a precise numerical result within 12 minutes, or a quicker method that offers an immediate threshold value to indicate potential deficiency that should be reported to a primary care physician. In both cases, the test is simple and accessible to everyone at participating pharmacies.

These campaigns go beyond individual health checks, aiming to raise public awareness. Participating pharmacies will distribute educational materials, while Lusofarmaco’s scientific representatives will promote the initiative in general practitioners’ offices. Additionally, social media channels of all involved parties will share tailored content, creating a ripple effect to deepen public understanding of this critical health issue and promoting a culture of proactive health management around vitamin D.