The Global Epidemic of Sleep Deprivation: Who's Affected?

The World Health Organisation has recently declared a 'global epidemic of insomnia', with two-thirds of adults getting less than eight hours of sleep per night. This lack of sleep has been linked to a range of issues, from impaired cognitive abilities to costly financial outcomes. But who is most affected by this epidemic? It's no surprise that students are among those most affected by sleep deprivation. Studies have shown that those who get less sleep suffer academically, as chronic sleep loss impairs their ability to remember, concentrate, think abstractly and solve problems.

But it's not just students who are affected. Adults, too, are feeling the effects of sleep deprivation. Data from studies in the UK show similar proportions of the adult population reporting sleep problems compared to the US. It's not just individuals who are affected by this epidemic, either.

Policy makers should encourage educational efforts to raise awareness of the importance of sleep and emphasise the contribution that employers can make to ensure that work tasks do not negatively interfere with sleep schedules. This is especially important given the potential antagonistic impacts of sleep deprivation on well-being, prosperity and profitability. So what can be done to combat this epidemic? One study investigated the behavioural and psychological consequences of chronic sleep deprivation in different age or social groups. The trend was set by the city of Edina, Minnesota, an affluent suburb of Minneapolis, which conducted a landmark experiment on student sleep in the late 1990s.

In addition, 64% use electronic music devices, 60% use laptops and 23% play video games in the hour before bedtime, according to the survey. In the distant past, humans slept when it was dark, rose with the light, and sleep was often taken in two stretches throughout the day. This experience was a wake-up call of sorts, as it recognised the need to return to a more balanced life and a better sleep pattern. Biomarkers are needed to predict sleepiness and other consequences of sleep deprivation.