We all need it, even crave it, but many of us find it difficult to get the recommended amount for our health: it is sleep. Healthy People 2020, which outlines the national health goals for the next decade, recommends that adults get 7 or more hours of sleep each day. After reviewing the evidence, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the Sleep Research Society, the National Sleep Foundation, and the American Thoracic Society all conclude most adults need 7-9 hours of sleep each day for optimum health. For some people, however, long hours or shift work—working during nighttime hours—make getting adequate sleep regularly difficult. As part of its long-standing commitment to reducing potential health and safety risks associated with demanding work hours, NIOSH studies the factors that contribute to inadequate sleep among workers and how to address them in the context of work schedules.
By organizing work schedules to allow workers enough time for adequate sleep, both employers and workers benefit, according to a recent NIOSH literature review published in the Journal of Women’s Health. Numerous scientific studies link adequate sleep to mental health, weight control, safety, and a stronger immune system. Under its Research to Practice, or r2p, initiative, NIOSH develops training and other materials for workers and employers in various industries to reduce the risks from inadequate sleep. These materials include a comprehensive online course for nurses, who often must work shift hours, and training for emergency responders on reducing risks associated with long work hours (see links below).