Waking Up to the Importance of Sleep: Opportunities for Policy Makers

Abstract

Insufficient sleep is associated with an increased risk for a range of negative physical and mental health outcomes. Causes of insufficient sleep involve many factors, and the consequences are not evenly distributed across populations. Indeed, stark sleep disparities disadvantage racial and ethnic minorities and those low in socioeconomic status, who are more readily affected by poor sleep than their White and high socioeconomic status comparators. Sleep is situated in the context of a socioecological model that recognizes societal, community, and individual factors that shape poor sleep and drive sleep-related outcomes. Policy opportunities address each level of the presented model and addressing these barriers should promote better sleep for those affected and potentially reduce sleep disparities.

The mediating effect of after-midnight use of digital media devices on the association of internet-related addictive behavior and insomnia in adolescents

“…The findings also show that the extent of insomnia symptoms is negatively associated with individual's SES (the less SES, the more symptoms), when controlling for behavioral factors (using DMD as a pre-sleep activity or after midnight) and aspects of mental health such as anxiety and psychosocial constitution. This is in line with reviews addressing sleep inequalities between different populations ( 64 , 65 ) and supports the demand of policies ( 66 ) e.g., framed in the socioecological model of sleep ( 67 , 68 ), which states that, in addition to aspects at individual level, other layers in which individual aspects are embedded, account for sleep disparities. These layers are the adolescents' immediate local physical sleep environment (e.g., crowded, noisy), which in turn is shaped by community based aspects (traffic and noise, light, green space) and general societal aspects (school starting times, working conditions).…”

Cyclic Meditation and Sleep Quality: A Review

“…2 Good sleep quality is essential for immune function, cognition, memory, and mood. 3 Many factors contribute to poor sleep and its quality. 4 The factors could be physical, psychological, behavioral, emotional, or environmental.…”