MMWR Vol. 66 / No. 8 ► Short Sleep Duration by Occupation Group — 29 States, 2013–2014 Weekly / March 3, 2017 / 66(8);207–213

Short Sleep Duration by Occupation Group — 29 States, 2013–2014 | MMWR

MMWR Weekly
Vol. 66, No. 8
March 03, 2017

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Short Sleep Duration by Occupation Group — 29 States, 2013–2014

Weekly / March 3, 2017 / 66(8);207–213

Taylor M. Shockey, MPH1; Anne G. Wheaton, PhD2 (View author affiliations)

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Summary

What is already known about this topic?

Shift work and other work factors influence sleep duration and sleep quality, which have a direct effect on worker health and safety. Previous research has found that workers in production, health care, protective service, transportation and material moving, and food preparation and serving-related fields are more likely to be shift workers. In addition, production and transportation and material moving occupations have been associated with higher prevalences of short sleep duration.

What is added by this report?

Analysis of 2013 and 2014 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data conducted to examine 93 detailed occupation groups in 29 states found that the prevalence of < 7 hours of sleep per day (short sleep duration) ranged from 21.4% among air transportation workers to 58.2% among communications equipment workers. The percentage of workers employed in at least one of the five occupations with the highest prevalence of short sleep duration ranged from 17.6% in Wyoming to 26.8% in Mississippi.

What are the implications for public health practice?

Significant differences were found in the prevalence of short sleep duration among occupation groups. Workers in occupations with high prevalences of short sleep duration might be most at risk for sleep-related accidents and adverse health outcomes associated with short sleep duration. Work-related factors should be further evaluated in the context of short sleep duration to guide prevention efforts.

Taylor M. Shockey, MPH1; Anne G. Wheaton, PhD2 (View author affiliations)

View suggested citation