It’s gender specific

Men sleep less on average about 11 minutes less than women a night, but women have a higher rate of trouble falling asleep or staying asleep (35 per cent compared to 25 per cent for men).

It affects work performance

The most common health complaint among shift workers is lack of sleep. One third of Canadians who do shift work have problems falling asleep or staying asleep (compared to one quarter of people who work regular hours).

"An extra hour of sleep a night appears to decrease the risk of coronary heart calcifcation, or hardening of the arteries, an early indicator of cardiovascular dis- ease."

Zero zzz’s mean less healing

A non-typical sleep schedule from shift work disturbs the body’s natural pattern of rest and rejuvenation which can lead to physical and mental problems, including cardiovascular disease, hypertension, asthma, diabetes and depression.

Dreaming of a healthy heart

An extra hour of sleep a night appears to decrease the risk of coronary heart calcifcation, or hardening of the arteries, an early indicator of cardiovascular dis- ease.

Drive away dreams

Commuting has a negative impact on sleep. People who commute an hour or more a day sleep less than those who have a 30 minute or less commute.

Parents get less

People who are married or living common law sleep less than people who aren’t married. People with children under the age of 15 sleep less than people who don’t have children in the house.

Keep it down

The top two sleep conditions in adults are snoring/sleep apnea and insomnia. As many as 10 percent of Canadians have clinically significant insomnia requiring treatment. About five percent of Canadians have sleep apnea that requires treatment and poses a substantial health risk.

Wake up to the costs

Diagnosing and treating the top two sleep disorders can improve quality of life for patients and reduce the burden to the health care system (as demonstrated in epidemiological and health care economic studies). Diagnosing and managing other sleep disorders such as restless leg syndrome, narcolepsy and parasomnias provides a tremendous benefit to the patient.