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.