Economic impact: Social welfare

Abstract

Progressive increase in sleep disorders in the population over the past 20 years has led policy makers to pay particular attention on this phenomenon as a public health problem to tackle and a social issue to deal with, especially within publicly funded healthcare systems. People affected by sleep disorders have been demonstrated to have higher healthcare expenditure, lower productivity, and to be more likely to be involved in accidents. As sleep disorders and sleepiness absorb a significant amount of resources, especially in terms of societal indirect costs, social welfare initiatives should be promoted to increase commitment and public awareness on this issue. The current chapter gives an overview of the available scientific literature on the economic burden attributable to sleep disorders from both societal and healthcare systems perspectives, and provides policy and social welfare recommendations.