Dr. Camargo, a research epidemiologist and Harvard Medical School professor, presented the 2010 Mansbach Lecture Aprill 22. He discussed the significant role that Vitamin D plays in our overall health in his lecture "The Sunshine Vitamin: Emerging Evidence on Vitamin D, Infection and Allergy."

He explained that several studies have shown that Vitamin D has positive effects on those who suffer from asthma, eczema, wheezing and food allergies. For asthma sufferers, Vitamin D could help treatment response by improving lung function and reducing airway hyper-responsiveness.

Many people have Vitamin D levels that are high enough to avoid major problems such as rickets but too low for optimum health, Dr. Camargo said. Ways to increase the level of Vitamin D are to get 15-20 minutes of daily, direct sun exposure or take a supplement.

While further research is needed to fully explore the health benefits, Vitamin D could also help fight infections and benefit other ailments, Dr. Camargo said.

"This is not just another vitamin story," Dr. Camargo said. "I think this is real."

The Mansbach Lecture was started in 1996 to honor Harry H. Mansbach, an early champion of EVMS who helped raise money to open the school in 1973. The lecture was started by his children to bring some of the nation's leading physicians and researchers to Norfolk.