--- title: The Cost of Fatigue description: Sleep disorders like sleep apnea have a negative impact on the economy. Now, a report from Harvard Medical School puts a dollar sign on that amount. image: https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hs-fs/hub/299691/file-2395596498.jpg --- **[![ASMS_logo_shadow_round](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ASMS_logo_shadow_round.png?width=200&name=ASMS_logo_shadow_round.png "ASMS_logo_shadow_round")](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/)** **Advanced Sleep Medicine Services, Inc.** The Sleep Experts`®` (877) 775-3377 ## Sleep Better, Live Better Blog ### *We believe that education is the first step to finding better sleep. Our articles educate people on sleep news, sleep disorders, and sleep care to help them achieve better health and live better lives. * *Thanks for joining the conversation.* ## [The Cost of Fatigue](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/the-cost-of-fatigue) Posted by [Julia Steele Rodriguez](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/author/julia-steele-rodriguez) Find me on: [Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/julia.steele818) [LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/in/juliasteele) [Twitter ](https://twitter.com/juliasteelerod) Jan 29, 2015 8:00:00 AM ![sleeping-at-work-the-cost-of-fatigue](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hs-fs/hub/299691/file-2395596498.jpg?width=415&name=file-2395596498.jpg) Chronic illness affects more than just the health of the person who lives with it; the economic costs are also significant. [Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/types) is one such illness that affects [millions of Americans](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/sleepbetterblog/having-a-sleep-study-is-the-resolution-that-will-change-your-2015), many of whom are undiagnosed, untreated, and may not even know they have it. And according to a report from Harvard Medical School, **the economic cost of unmanaged OSA in the US is as high as $165 billion.** # Putting a Price on Sleepiness According to the *[Price of Fatigue: McKinsey and Harvard Medical School Report](http://www.sleepdr.com) *the economic cost of unmanaged OSA in the US is between $65 billion and $165 billion. The University of Maryland Medical Center breaks it down further, noting that the direct cost of sleep-related issues is $16 billion and the indirect cost somewhere between $50 - $100 billion. **Such indirect costs include traffic accidents, lost productivity and treatment of other medical conditions caused by obstructive sleep apnea** (heart disease, strokes and [high blood pressure](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/sleepbetterblog/using-a-cpap-machine-reduces-blood-pressure)). ## The direct costs of fatigue To get an idea of the "big picture", consider these statistics:  - OSA-related [traffic accidents](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/sleepbetterblog/driving-drowsy-vs-driving-drunk) are estimated to cost between $12 billion and $39 billion per year (not including medical costs) - OSA-related [workplace accidents](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/sleepbetterblog/the-real-reason-they-call-it-the-graveyard-shift) cost the economy between $7 and 22 billion per year - OSA-related lost productivity costs the economy at least $3 billion and perhaps as much as 15 billion per year ## The indirect costs matter too The price of sleep deprivation goes well beyond these statistics, however, when the indirect costs are factored in. The Harvard study notes these indirect costs, among others: - Depression and other [mental health](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/sleepbetterblog/how-does-sleep-apnea-impact-the-brain) treatment - Marital unhappiness: cost of counseling or divorce - Investigative and legal costs associated with motor vehicle accidents, as well as autopsies and funerals The Harvard report focuses on fatigue that can be caused by circumstances other than sleep apnea. For example, the average work week for a medical resident is 96 hours, and one study found that **sleep-deprived residents make 36% more medical errors than those who work a shorter week.** Simply stated, the direct and indirect costs of fatigue are astronomically high in the United States, affecting the health and safety of individuals and communities. If you’re experiencing excessive tiredness or other issues with sleep, please [contact us](http://www.sleepdr.com/contact). We have the tools and expertise to diagnose and treat all types of [sleep disorders](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/types) to keep you safe, healthy and energetic. **How does being tired affect your daytime performance? Share with us the comments.** Photo Credit: [Dave C](https://www.flickr.com/photos/normalityrelief/) Topics: [Economics of Sleep Medicine](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/economics-of-sleep-medicine) ## Share this blog post: [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fthe-cost-of-fatigue%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fthe-cost-of-fatigue%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fthe-cost-of-fatigue%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fthe-cost-of-fatigue%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=The%20Cost%20of%20Fatigue) [![Share on Pinterest](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/pinterest-24x24.png)](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fthe-cost-of-fatigue%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dpinterest&media=) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fthe-cost-of-fatigue%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fthe-cost-of-fatigue%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ### Subscribe to Email Updates Search our blog Search ### Posts by Topic - [Children and Sleep (1)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/children-and-sleep) - [Coffee (1)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/coffee) - [CPAP Alternatives (2)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/cpap-alternatives) - [CPAP Supplies (9)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/cpap-supplies) - [CPAP Treatment (25)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/cpap-treatment) - [Diabetes (2)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/diabetes) - [Doctor's Opinion (4)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/doctors-opinion) - [Economics of Sleep Medicine (15)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/economics-of-sleep-medicine) - [Good Sleep Habits (59)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/good-sleep-habits) - [Health Insurance (20)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/health-insurance) - [Heart Disease (2)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/heart-disease) - [Insomnia (2)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/insomnia) - [Job-Related Sleep Disorders (7)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/job-related-sleep-disorders) - [Kids and Sleep (20)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/kids-and-sleep) - [Narcolepsy (1)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/narcolepsy) - [Preparing for your sleep study (2)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/preparing-for-your-sleep-study) - [Sex and Sleep (7)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/sex-and-sleep) - [Sleep and Exercise (1)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/sleep-and-exercise) - [Sleep and Society (41)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/sleep-and-society) - [Sleep Apnea (60)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/sleep-apnea) - [Sleep Business (3)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/sleep-business) - [Sleep Disorders (30)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/sleep-disorders) - [Sleep Studies (30)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/sleep-studies) - [Telemedicine (1)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/telemedicine) - [Treating Sleep Apnea (29)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/treating-sleep-apnea) - [Women and Sleep (14)](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/women-and-sleep) ### Most viewed posts ### Recent Posts **Contact Us:** Advanced Sleep Medicine Services, Inc. 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