Rationale for Sleep Improvement Program for Students

Identification of the Problem
Among college students, only 30% report getting sufficient sleep to maintain optimal physical and cognitive functioning, and half of all college students report regular daytime sleepiness (Hershner & Chervin, 2014). The causes of sleep deprivation include stress and work overload, which may begin as early as high school. One study of almost 2000 adolescents revealed persistent health problems and sleep insufficiency, linked to overly early start times for school (Ming, Koransky, Kang, et al, 2011). Therefore, the overall prevalence of sleep deprivation is alarmingly high among adolescents and young adults.
Problem Statement
The consequences of sleep deprivation are dire. Poor academic performance and even academic failure are commonly reported consequences of sleep deprivation among both high school and college students (Hershner & Chervin, 2014; Ming, Koransky, Kang, et al, 2011). Lower grade point averages and poorer performance in school can cause long-term consequences for young adult career development and future prospects. Sleep deprivation has also been linked with impaired mood and other mental health issues (Hershner & Chervin, 2014). Great Britain’s National Health Services (2018) also cites evidence showing that chronic sleep deprivation can lead to long-term mental health issues including depression and anxiety. Not getting enough sleep can also cause other health problems. One study shows that among adolescents, insufficient sleep increases one’s risk for engaging in high risk behaviors including drug and alcohol use, fighting, and suicidal ideation (McKnight-Elly, Eaton, & Lowry, 2011).
Beyond the immediate impacts on academic performance, sleep deprivation can also be physically dangerous. The most immediate effects of sleep deprivation in terms of health and safety are with impaired driving. Drowsy driving can lead to accidents and fatalities every bit as much as driving while intoxicated (The Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School, n.d.; Hershner & Chervin, 2014; National Health Services, 2018). In the United States alone, drowsy driving causes “approximately 1 million crashes, 500,000 injuries, and 8,000 deaths each year in the U.S.,” (Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School, n.d., p. 1).
Driving is not the only arena in which sleep deprivation can lead to fatalities. Insufficient sleep can cause accidents and hazards in the workplace, which is especially important for those who work in the medical profession. According to the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School (n.d.), newly graduated medical interns “are often expected to work continuous shifts of 24 to 36 hours with little or no opportunity for sleep,” contributing to the almost 100,000 deaths per year that occur as the result of medical errors (p. 1).
Getting enough sleep, on the other hand, can reduce one’s chances of long-term health problems including obesity and diabetes (National Health Services, 2018). Therefore, a health program that promotes sleep will ultimately improve student’s physical, psychological, social, and academic wellbeing and success.
Proposed Solution
The proposed solution to the problem identified is to work with both the board of education in the state and also the dean of the university. Cornerstone goals of the program include pushing back the start times for high school, reducing unnecessary homework burdens in both high school and college, and reducing the number of hours interns are allowed to work. A health promotion program like this has empirical support, as Owens (2014) claims that later start times for schools is crucial for mitigating this public health problem.
Another component of this health promotion program is public health awareness, outreach, and education. To increase the number of hours each student sleeps, it is important to identify the most important causes of sleep deprivation. In addition to early start times and work overload, caffeine and overuse of electronics are also to blame for insufficient sleep (Owens, 2014). An advertising campaign would help address the problem of over reliance on caffeine and personal electronic devices among the target population.
Benefits and Gains of the Program
When the school board and dean of the school learn of the dire consequences of sleep deprivation, it may become immediately apparent that they have an ethical—and possibly legal—responsibility to take action. If we consult with a legal team, we may be able to show that schools share any liability for pushing their students too far in terms of early start times plus overburdening students with work. Even if the legalistic approach is not used, it will be possible to frame the issue as one of immediate importance to solidifying community-school relationships and improving overall educational outcomes. After all, sleep deprivation is linked to poorer academic performance and schools have a vested interest in ensuring the best possible academic standards for their students. Schools that perform well receive accolades and possibly increased funding.
As a public health issue, sleep deprivation also presents net benefits to society. Students who get enough sleep are less likely to drive while drowsy, less likely to engage in high risk behaviors, less likely to develop mental health problems, and less likely to drop out of school. Each of these are consequences of sleep deprivation demonstrated in empirical research, and each of these are costly problems both in terms of humanitarian and financial outcomes. Therefore, a comprehensive program to promote healthy sleep habits among students can be framed and adopted as a promising public health intervention.





References

The Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School (n.d.). Consequences of insufficient sleep. http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/healthy/matters/consequences
Hershner, S.D. & Chervin, R.D. (2014). Causes and consequences of sleepnessness among college students. Nature and Science of Sleep 2014(6): 73-84.
McKnight-Elly, L.R., Eaton, D.K., Lowry, R., et al. (2011). Relationships between hours of sleep and health-risk behaviors in US adolescent students. Preventative Medicine 53(4-5): 271-273.
Ming, X., Koransky, R., Kang, V. et al (2011). Sleep insufficiency, sleep health problems and performance in high school students. Clinical Medicine Insights 2011(5): 71-79.
National Health Services (2018). Why lack of sleep is bad for your health. https://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/tiredness-and-fatigue/Pages/lack-of-sleep-health-risks.aspx
Owens, J. (2014). Insufficient sleep in adolescents and young adults. Pediatrics 134(3): http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/134/3/e921.short