Ambulance staff work irregular shifts, spend lots of time indoors, and often work at night—all things that can lower vitamin D levels in the body. Researchers talked to 40 ambulance workers in the UK to understand how their work schedules and daily habits affect their vitamin D levels. They found that nearly half of the ambulance staff they screened had low vitamin D, and many didn’t realize how important this vitamin is for feeling good and doing their job well. The study shows that ambulance services should teach their workers more about vitamin D and help them find ways to get enough of it, even with their challenging work schedules.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How the work schedules and daily habits of ambulance staff affect their vitamin D levels, and whether low vitamin D impacts how they feel and perform at work
  • Who participated: 40 ambulance workers in the UK, ranging from age 21 to 69, including paramedics, control room staff, and support workers from different ethnic backgrounds
  • Key finding: Nearly half (46%) of ambulance staff had low vitamin D levels. Most workers didn’t know much about vitamin D or realize their work schedule made it harder to get enough of it. Workers suggested that better education about vitamin D could help them stay healthier.
  • What it means for you: If you work shifts, spend a lot of time indoors, or work at night, you may be at higher risk for low vitamin D. Talking to your doctor about vitamin D screening and learning simple ways to boost your levels—like taking supplements or getting sunlight during breaks—could help you feel better and perform better at work. This is especially important for shift workers.

The Research Details

Researchers conducted one-on-one interviews with 40 ambulance workers over four months. Each interview lasted about an hour and was done online. The researchers asked workers about their daily habits, diet, exercise, sun exposure, and how their vitamin D levels (whether high or low) affected their health and work performance. The interviews were recorded and carefully analyzed to find common themes and patterns in what workers said. This type of study is called qualitative research, which means it focuses on understanding people’s experiences and perspectives rather than just collecting numbers.

Understanding why ambulance workers have low vitamin D is important because it helps identify the real-world barriers they face. By listening directly to workers about their schedules, habits, and challenges, researchers can develop practical solutions that actually work for this group. This approach is better than just telling people what to do without understanding their specific situation.

This study has several strengths: it included workers from different roles and ethnic backgrounds, making the results more representative of the actual ambulance service. The researchers used a careful method to analyze the interviews to ensure they found genuine patterns. However, this study was exploratory and focused on one ambulance service in the UK, so the findings may not apply exactly to all ambulance workers everywhere. The study didn’t measure vitamin D levels before and after any intervention, so it shows what’s happening now but not whether specific changes would improve vitamin D levels.

What the Results Show

The research identified five main themes affecting ambulance workers’ vitamin D levels. First, many workers were surprised when they learned their vitamin D was low—they hadn’t thought much about it before. Second, diet played a role, but most workers didn’t eat many vitamin D-rich foods like fatty fish or fortified milk. Third, workers with low vitamin D reported symptoms like tiredness, muscle aches, and low mood, though they didn’t always connect these feelings to vitamin D. Fourth, the work schedule itself was a major problem: shift work, night shifts, and spending most of the day indoors made it very difficult to get sunlight, which is the body’s main source of vitamin D. Fifth, activity levels varied widely, with some workers exercising regularly and others having little time or energy for physical activity due to their demanding schedules.

Workers emphasized that they wanted more education about vitamin D and why it matters for their health. Many suggested that their ambulance service should provide information about vitamin D during training or staff meetings. Some workers mentioned that they didn’t know vitamin D supplements were available or affordable. Others noted that even when they tried to get sunlight during breaks, the UK’s location and weather made this difficult, especially during winter months. Workers also expressed that they felt their employer cared about their health when research like this was conducted, suggesting that ongoing attention to staff wellness is valued.

Previous research has shown that shift workers and people who spend a lot of time indoors are at higher risk for vitamin D deficiency. This study confirms that finding in the ambulance service specifically. The 46% rate of low vitamin D in this ambulance service is higher than the general UK population, supporting the idea that ambulance work creates special risk factors. The study adds new information by showing that lack of awareness is a major barrier—workers can’t address a problem they don’t know about or understand.

This study only included 40 workers from one ambulance service in the UK, so the results may not apply to all ambulance workers or other shift workers. The study relied on workers remembering and reporting their habits accurately, which can be imperfect. The researchers didn’t measure whether education or interventions actually improved vitamin D levels—they only explored what workers thought and experienced. The study didn’t include a control group or compare different interventions, so we can’t say for certain what would work best to improve vitamin D levels in this group.

The Bottom Line

Ambulance services should provide education to all staff about vitamin D, why it matters, and practical ways to maintain adequate levels. This could include information about vitamin D-rich foods, supplements, and the importance of getting sunlight when possible. Workers should consider asking their doctor about vitamin D screening, especially if they work shifts or spend most of their time indoors. If screening shows low vitamin D, supplements are a safe and effective option. These recommendations have moderate confidence because they’re based on what workers said they needed, though more research is needed to test whether these strategies actually work.

Ambulance workers and other shift workers should pay attention to this research. Night shift workers, people who work indoors most of the day, and anyone living in northern climates with limited winter sunlight should consider getting their vitamin D checked. Ambulance service managers and occupational health teams should use these findings to develop staff wellness programs. People with symptoms like persistent tiredness, muscle aches, or low mood should talk to their doctor about vitamin D screening. However, this research is specifically about ambulance workers, so the exact findings may not apply to other groups.

If someone has low vitamin D and starts taking supplements, they may begin to feel better within 2-4 weeks, though some people take longer. Vitamin D levels in the blood typically improve within 6-8 weeks of consistent supplementation. However, maintaining adequate vitamin D is an ongoing process—it’s not something that improves once and then stays fixed. Workers will need to continue getting sunlight, eating vitamin D-rich foods, or taking supplements regularly to keep their levels healthy.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily sunlight exposure in minutes (aim for 10-30 minutes when possible), vitamin D supplement intake (if prescribed), and any symptoms like tiredness or muscle aches. Record these daily to identify patterns between sun exposure and how you feel.
  • Set a reminder to take a vitamin D supplement at the same time each day if your doctor recommends one. During breaks at work, step outside for even 5-10 minutes of sunlight exposure when weather permits. Log vitamin D-rich foods you eat (like fatty fish, egg yolks, or fortified milk) to increase awareness of dietary sources.
  • Check in monthly with how you’re feeling (energy levels, muscle aches, mood) and compare it to your sunlight exposure and supplement adherence. Schedule a follow-up vitamin D blood test with your doctor 8-12 weeks after starting any changes to see if your levels have improved. Use the app to track trends over seasons, since vitamin D levels typically drop in winter months.

This research describes findings from one UK ambulance service and is based on workers’ reports of their experiences and habits. It does not provide medical advice. If you think you may have low vitamin D or are experiencing symptoms like persistent tiredness or muscle aches, please consult with your doctor or healthcare provider. Do not start vitamin D supplements without discussing it with your healthcare provider first, as they can order appropriate testing and recommend the right dose for your individual needs. This study was exploratory and shows what workers experienced, but more research is needed to determine which specific interventions most effectively improve vitamin D levels in shift workers.