In a recent publication, Science magazine quoted biological anthropologist Nina Jablonski as saying “Skin color is not about race”. She made this statement during a face-off with comedian Stephen Colbert. Her comment is built on over three decades of studying the evolution of the human skin. Dr. Jablonski’s observations have added important ideas to our understanding of how skin color affects human health risk. But the connection between skin color and health risk goes far beyond physiological associations.