--- title: "The Sleep Loss Epidemic: the huge social, medical, and economic costs of sleep deprivation" description: "Sleep deprivation is such a huge issue that experts are calling it a \"public health epidemic\". Plus, its economic and social costs are astronomically high." image: https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hubfs/Website_Redesign_Photos/sleep_loss_epidemic_website.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 Sleep Loss Epidemic: the huge social, medical, and economic costs of sleep deprivation](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/the-sleep-loss-epidemic-the-huge-social-medical-and-economic-costs-of-sleep-deprivation) 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) Sep 12, 2015 8:00:00 AM ![](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Website_Redesign_Photos/sleep_loss_epidemic_website.jpg?width=550&height=405&name=sleep_loss_epidemic_website.jpg) Sleep deprivation--a consistent shortage of sleep--is a serious problem in the United States. A Gallup poll taken in 20131 found that 40% of Americans get less than seven hours of sleep per night. That means that **two in five Americans is not getting the [recommended amount of sleep](http://www.sleepdr.com/sleep-duration-guidelines?__hstc=233546881.96e2c90ab1c06a0e214cdda3c9fbfe4e.1442027299152.1442027299152.1442027299152.1&__hssc=233546881.1.1442027299153&__hsfp=2294622650). ** # Sleep Loss as a Nationwide Issue At this point, so many Americans are affected by less-than-optimal sleep--and the costs of this drowsiness are so high--that even experts agree that it has taken on the severity of an epidemic. ## Public Health Epidemic The extent of sleep loss in the United States is so severe that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have declared that insufficient sleep is a [**"public health epidemic"**](http://www.sleepdr.com/sleepbetterblog/cdc-declares-sleep-disorders-a-public-epidemic?__hstc=233546881.96e2c90ab1c06a0e214cdda3c9fbfe4e.1442027299152.1442027299152.1442027299152.1&__hssc=233546881.1.1442027299153&__hsfp=2294622650). According to their research:2 - 23.2% of Americans have problems concentrating during the day - 11.3% say lack of sleep interfered with driving - 8.6% reported that sleep deficiency interfered with job performance. - Shockingly, nearly 40% reported unintentionally falling asleep during the day at some point in the prior month.  ## The Cost of Sleep Deprivation Such widespread sleep deprivation has enormous economic, medical, environmental, and health costs for the United States. Here are just a few examples:  - Scientists from Harvard estimate that sleep deprivation costs the American economy **$62.3 billion per year** in lost productivity.3 - Several environmental disasters, like the nuclear meltdown at Chernobyl and the Exxon Valdez oil spill, have been linked to human error caused by sleep deprivation4 - Over **400,000 Americans die per year from preventable medical errors**, making them the 3rd biggest cause of death in the US5. Overworked, under-rested doctors who work traditional long shifts made **36% more errors** than better-rested physicians with a reduced shedule6.    - About **60% of adult drivers **admit to driving while drowsy7. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that **100,000 police-reported crashes per year** are directly caused by sleep deprivation. - That's not even to mention the individual effects of sleep deprivation, which range from lack of concentration to increased risk of serious medical conditions. ## You can fight sleep deprivation  Undoubtedly, part of the reason for these statistics is that there is a culture of sleep deprivation in the United States. Whether due to the [temptations of the Internet](http://preview.hs-sites.com/sleepbetterblog/three-good-reasons-to-keep-your-phone-out-of-the-bedroom), the demands of their career or [work schedule](http://preview.hs-sites.com/sleepbetterblog/working-late-watch-out-for-shift-work-disorder), or [the impression that sleeping too much is "weak" or "lazy"](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/sleep-in-the-corporate-culture), people often push aside sleep in favor of other activities.  Changing this mentality starts on an individual level. Once you actually realize how detrimental sleep deprivation can be, it becomes clear that the personal and societal costs of being sleepy are not worth the extra few hours of wakefulness.  If you're ready to combat sleep deprivation, a really important first step is educating yourself about the importance of sleep and healthy sleep habits. That's what the Sleep Better, Live Better blog aims to do. Subscribe to our blog today to learn about how sounder sleep can lead to a happier lifestyle.  [![Subscribe to our Blog](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/299691/96db0701-a121-4a6f-93ea-164b3df643aa.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/299691/96db0701-a121-4a6f-93ea-164b3df643aa) **What do you think about the problem of sleep deprivation? Do these statistics inspire you to change your sleep patterns? Share in the comments!** Sources:  [1) "In U.S., 40% Get Less than Recommended Amount of Sleep." Gallup.com.](http://www.gallup.com/poll/166553/less-recommended-amount-sleep.aspx) 2) Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), Sleep Disorders Questionnaire (2005-2006 and 2007-2008). Data and analysis reported in the [Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, March 4, 2011](http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm6008.pdf). [CDC website](http://www.cdc.gov/features/dssleep/). [3) Kessler, Ronald C, PhD, et al. "Insomnia and the Performance of US Workers: Results from the America Insomnia Survey." *Sleep* Journal.](http://www.journalsleep.org/ViewAbstract.aspx?pid=28247) [4) Harvey R. Colten and Bruce M. Altevogt, eds., for the Institute of Medicine (U.S.) Committee on Sleep Medicine and Research, *Sleep Disorders and Sleep Deprivation: An Unmet Public Health Problem* (Washington, DC: National Academies Press, 2006).](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK19958/) [5) James, John T. PhD. "A New, Evidence-based Estimate of Patient Harms Associated with Hospital Care." *Journal of Patient Safety.*](http://journals.lww.com/journalpatientsafety/Fulltext/2013/09000/A_New,_Evidence_based_Estimate_of_Patient_Harms.2.aspx) [6) Christopher P. Landrigan, M.D., M.P.H., et al. "Effect of Reducing Interns' Work Hours on Serious Medical Errors in Intensive Care Units." *New England Journal of Medicine.*](http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa041406#t=articleResults) [7) *2005 **Sleep in America Poll* conducted by the National Sleep Foundation.](http://drowsydriving.org/about/facts-and-stats/)   Topics: [Sleep Disorders](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/sleep-disorders), [Good Sleep Habits](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/good-sleep-habits) ## 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-sleep-loss-epidemic-the-huge-social-medical-and-economic-costs-of-sleep-deprivation%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-sleep-loss-epidemic-the-huge-social-medical-and-economic-costs-of-sleep-deprivation%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-sleep-loss-epidemic-the-huge-social-medical-and-economic-costs-of-sleep-deprivation%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fthe-sleep-loss-epidemic-the-huge-social-medical-and-economic-costs-of-sleep-deprivation%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=The%20Sleep%20Loss%20Epidemic%3A%20the%20huge%20social%2C%20medical%2C%20and%20economic%20costs%20of%20sleep%20deprivation) [![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-sleep-loss-epidemic-the-huge-social-medical-and-economic-costs-of-sleep-deprivation%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-sleep-loss-epidemic-the-huge-social-medical-and-economic-costs-of-sleep-deprivation%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fthe-sleep-loss-epidemic-the-huge-social-medical-and-economic-costs-of-sleep-deprivation%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ### Subscribe to Email Updates Search our blog Search ### Posts by Topic - 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Corporate Office 17835 Ventura Blvd. Suite 300 Encino, CA 91316 Phone (877) 775-3377 Fax (877) 855-6227  [info@sleepdr.com](mailto:info@sleepdr.com) ## **Top Links:** [Frequently asked questions (FAQs) ](http://www.sleepdr.com/frequently-asked-questions)[Download Service Request Form (Rx) ](http://www.sleepdr.com/service_request_form)[Request medical records ](http://www.sleepdr.com/request-medical-records)[See a complete list of locations ](http://www.sleepdr.com/locations)[Schedule an appointment ](http://www.sleepdr.com/schedule)[Sleep Better, Live Better Blog ](http://www.sleepdr.com/sleepbetterblog)[Contact us](http://www.sleepdr.com/contact) **About Us:** Our mission is to empower sufferers of sleep disorders, like sleep apnea, to lead more fulfilling lives by improving their sleep. We believe that by caring for and educating our patients and diagnosing and treating their sleep disorders we can help them achieve better health. With 20 locations across California, we are the leading provider of in-center and in-home (HST) sleep studies, PAP therapeutic devices, and replacement PAP supplies. We are contracted with more than 300 medical groups and commercial health plans. We partner with independent physicians who are at the forefront of the field of sleep medicine and together we provide high-quality, affordable, result-oriented and patient-centric diagnostic and therapeutic sleep medicine services. We strive to make all our interactions with patients, referring physicians, coworkers, and others courteous, caring and professional and we consider each interaction with our patients as an opportunity to live up to our commitment to the highest standards of patient care.  ### Subscribe to our blog: [![Twitter link](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hubfs/twitter-865437-edited.png "Twitter link")](https://twitter.com/mysleepdr)[![Facebook link](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hubfs/facebook-square-750598-edited.png "Facebook link")](https://www.facebook.com/AdvancedSleepMedicine)[![LinkedIn link](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hubfs/linkedin-815276-edited.png "LinkedIn link")](https://www.linkedin.com/company/advanced-sleep-medicine-services-inc) ## Original photos by Francisco Crow [www.fc-images.net](http://www.fc-images.net) All rights reserved. Our administrative offices AND sleep centers will be closed on Monday, September 5, 2016 in observance of the Labor Day holiday.