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Daily insufficient sleep and active duty status
Daniel P Chapman1, Yong Liu1, Lela R McKnight-Eily1
1Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch, Division of Population Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway Northeast, Mailstop K-78, Atlanta, GA 30341.
Military Medicine
|January 7, 2015
Summary
Military service, both recent and past, is linked to a higher likelihood of daily insufficient sleep in adults aged 18 to 64. This sleep deficit was not significant in older adults (≥65).
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Sleep Medicine
- Military Health
Background:
- Sleep insufficiency is a growing public health concern.
- Military service members and veterans may face unique challenges affecting sleep.
- Understanding the impact of service status on sleep is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between U.S. military service status and daily insufficient sleep.
- To compare sleep patterns among active duty, recently separated, and non-service members.
- To investigate age-related differences in this association.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 566,861 adults (18-64 years) and 271,202 adults (≥65 years) from the 2009-2010 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System surveys.
- Categorization of military service into recent (past 12 months) and past (>12 months ago).
- Assessment of daily insufficient sleep within the past 30 days, with adjustments for sociodemographic factors, health behaviors, and mental distress.
Main Results:
- Among adults aged 18-64, recent active duty was associated with a 34% increased likelihood, and past service with a 23% increased likelihood, of insufficient sleep compared to no service.
- Prevalence of insufficient sleep was 13.7% for recent duty, 12.6% for past service, and 11.2% for no service in the 18-64 age group.
- No significant association between military service status and insufficient sleep was found in adults aged 65 years and older.
Conclusions:
- Adults with recent or past military service experience a heightened risk of daily insufficient sleep.
- The findings highlight a significant sleep health disparity among working-age veterans and service members.
- Further research and targeted sleep health programs are warranted for military-connected populations.
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