Sleep health awareness is required as sleep plays a major role in maintaining a good health, say doctors.

Doctors took part in a discussion on Sleep Equity for Global Health to commemorate World Sleep Day 2024. The discussion was organized by World Sleep Society in association with Calcutta Sleep Society.

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Recent studies conducted within the Indian landscape shed light on the profound implications of sleep disparities. Research by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) reveals a complex tapestry of sleep patterns within rural communities facing distinct challenges in achieving optimal sleep compared to their urban counterparts.

Moreover, socio economic divides exacerbate the issue, with individuals from marginalized communities bearing a disproportionate burden of sleep related health concerns. The psychological pattern of the sleep-wake up cycle is influenced by external synchronizing agents such as light and social patterns, creating variations in each individual’s preferred active and sleep periods.

The doctors present at the discussion said experiments have shown that the percentage of increased risk of various cardiovascular disorders have gone up due to inadequate sleep.

In the Indian subcontinent, studies have indicated that inadequate sleep is associated with 20-30 per cent increased risk of developing hypertension. For example, a study conducted in urban India and published in the Indian Heart Journal found that individuals with poor sleep quality had a 25 per cent higher prevalence of hypertension compared to those with good quality sleep.

Research has further shown that inadequate sleep is associated with 45-50 per cent increased risk of developing coronary heart disease. The finding of a research published in the Indian Heart Journal revealed that short sleep duration is associated with a 50 per cent higher risk of CHD compared to longer sleep duration.

Stroke, heart failure, obesity and Type 2 diabetes have connection with inadequate sleep, research has shown.

The doctors said sleep equity emerges as a critical pillar in the pursuit of collective health and wellness. Sleep is often overlooked amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life but it serves as a cornerstone of vitality impacting every facet of human existence.