Leo Sher, M.D.

A research report, “Sleep health of Australian adults in 2016: results of the 2016 Sleep Health Foundation national survey” has recently been published in the journal Sleep Health. A research group in Australia performed a cross-sectional national adult online survey of 1011 adults.

The research group found that

– Unsatisfactory sleep, of either duration or quality, and its daytime results regularly affect 33–45% of adults.
– Average stated sleep time is 7 hours, although 12% sleep less than 5.5 hours and 8% over 9 hours.
– Three–quarters of those who sleep less than 5.5 hours report frequent daytime impairment or sleep–related symptoms.
– Frequent, loud snoring is reported by 24% of men and 17% of women. Among these, 70% report daytime impairment or other sleep–related symptoms.
– Almost a third of adults (29%) report making mistakes at work due to sleepiness or sleep issues within 3 months of the survey.
– Almost a third of adults drive when sleepy at least every month, and one in five have nodded off while driving within the last year.
– 44% of adults (47% women, 40% men) are on the internet just before bed almost every night. Of these, 59% have two or more sleep problems.

The authors have concluded that sleep problems and daytime consequences are endemic among Australian adults. The authors have suggested that a focus on healthy sleep at a policy level as well as increased clinician and public awareness may be warranted.

Reference:

Adams RJ, Sarah L. Appleton SL, Anne W. Taylor AW, , Gill TK, Lang C, McEvoy RD, Antic NA. Sleep health of Australian adults in 2016: results of the 2016 Sleep Health Foundation national survey. Sleep Health, 2017, Vol. 3, Iss. 1, pp.35-42.