Biocultural conditions and prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in skeletal remains

Vitamin D directly influences blood-calcium homeostasis and skeletal health. Individuals who do not have enough vitamin adequate blood calcium levels leading to a cascade of metabolic deficiencies health problems, including bone diseases like rickets osteomalacia. My Ph.D. focuses on the extent impact deficiency in recent historic past United States. I examined fifty skeletons from Hamann-Todd Collection at Cleveland Museum Natural History for presence or absence deficiency. Biocultural variables can affect one’s likelihood being deficient. To determine which variable(s) these individuals may be subjected used morgue records death certificates search Ancestry FamilySearch genealogical data individuals. Preliminary results show that was present 24% sample. Death certificate available 100% sample died Ohio.