Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he is taking steps raise awareness of the potential health benefits of vitamin D in local communities.

Government advice on vitamin D is publicised via the NHS.uk website and the social marketing campaigns Start4Life, Better Health and Healthier Families. This includes messaging specifically aimed at people from ethnic minority groups with dark skin.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) has a guideline which focuses on increasing vitamin D supplement use to prevent deficiency among specific population groups. This includes recommendations for local authorities, NHS trusts, and voluntary and community organisations, as well as healthcare professionals.

The Government’s Healthy Start scheme provides an opportunity for health professionals and others working with pregnant women and families to offer advice on issues such as healthy eating, breastfeeding, and vitamins. As part of the scheme, pregnant women, new mothers, and children can receive a supplement which contains vitamin D.

Local areas may look to raise awareness amongst population groups in their communities, but Government does not collect information on these initiatives.