Summary
Getting enough sleep is crucial for our overall health and wellbeing. While most Australians are meeting national recommendations for how much sleep is required each night, many still experience some form of sleep problem. Poor sleep can seriously affect a person’s quality of life and increase the risk of developing chronic health conditions. It also has a substantial impact on the Australian economy.
This report summarises available national and international evidence on sleep problems as a risk factor for chronic conditions. It presents data on sleep in Australia, including the prevalence of sleep problems. It also highlights the limitations of existing data and identifies potential new data sources for monitoring sleep in Australia.
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Why is sleep important?
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How much sleep do we need?
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What are sleep problems?
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How common are sleep problems in Australia?
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What factors are associated with sleep problems?
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What is the relationship between sleep problems and chronic conditions?
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Potential new data sources
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What are the limitations of sleep data?