Lack of Sleep is a Public Health Issue
A multidimensional approach to sleep demands a cultural shift
Though it’s been proven without a doubt that sleep “is the anchor for a healthy life,” 30–50% of people have trouble sleeping at any given time, and the health risks are higher for those in lower socioeconomic groups (Egger, Blinns, Rosner & Sagner, 2017, p. 291).
Whereas people used to get 8–9 hours of sleep each night, nearly one-third of adults sleep less than the recommended levels of at least 7–8 hours (Egger et al, 2017, p. 292; Dolezal, Neufeld, Boland, Martin & Cooper, 2017; p. 1). The consequences of poor sleep can be dire and can include:
- depression
- heart disease
- cognitive issues
- suppressed immunity
- substance abuse
- sleep apnea
- and more (Egger et al, 2017, p. 295).
Egger et al (2017) also focus on multiple lifestyle factors that contribute to the increased sleep deprivation, including alcohol and caffeine consumption, insufficient physical activity, and cellphone use, particularly in relation to social media and texting, right before bed (p. 295–298). However, a multidimensional approach to understanding the problem is essential since it’s a…
