Follow-up to Hartmann & Prichard: Should universities invest in promoting healthy sleep? A question of academic and economic significance

Abstract

Objective: We use regression results from Hartmann & Prichard (2018) in conjunction with other publicly available data to estimate the economic benefits from early identification and treatment of sleep problems on raising the likelihood of students' college graduation and future earnings. Results: The benefits of improved graduation rates and future earnings exceed the cost of being screened, educated, and treated for sleep problems. Conclusions: Based on the demand for information about healthy sleep by students and the established link between sleep problems and academic success, universities should consider instituting sleep health programs to identify and support students with sleep disturbances early in their academic careers.