['To review vitamin D status and the relationship of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels to hip bone mineral density in a group of healthy elderly women living independently in their own homes in Dunedin.', 'Thirty-eight elderly subjects (> 70 years of age) were studied. Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) were measured by radioimmunoassay in summer and winter. Femoral neck bone mineral density was measured by dual x-ray energy absorptiometry.', 'Hip density was correlated with serum 25(OH)D levels at study entry. In summer, 10 of 38 patients (26.3%) had serum 25(OH)D levels below the reference range for healthy adults (40-185 nmol/L). Six patients subsequently withdrew from the study. In winter, 22 of the remaining 32 women (68.8%) had serum 25(OH)D values below the reference range. Subjects with low 25(OH)D values were given halibut oil tablets (400 IU vitamin D3 per day) to improve their serum 25(OH)D levels.'] Is low vitamin D status common among elderly Dunedin women?