The association of sleep with neighborhood physical and social environment

• Published in: Public health (London) Vol. 162; pp. 126 - 134
• Main Authors: Hunter, Jaimie C., Hayden, Kathleen M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2018; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Air pollution; Air pollution measurements; Aircraft noise; Built environment; Empirical analysis; Environment; Environmental aspects; Environmental factors; Humans; Neighborhoods; Noise pollution; Parks & recreation areas; Particulate emissions; Particulate matter; Pollution; Public health; Residence Characteristics - statistics & numerical data; Roads; Sleep; Sleep deprivation; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders - epidemiology; Social determinants; Social disorganization; Social Environment; Social influencers; Transportation noise; Urban areas; Urban environments; Walking; Environment; Sleep; Social determinants; Social influencers; Public health
• ISSN: 0033-3506; 1476-5616
• DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2018.05.003

While sleep is critical for good health, it remains a major public health concern because millions of individuals do not obtain a sufficient amount of sleep at night to reap proper health benefits. When examining factors that contribute to deleterious sleep outcomes, few researchers to date have examined the physical and social environments together. This article is an analytical essay. In the present study, 18 empirical articles on environmental factors that promote sleep loss were analyzed and synthesized according to the study type, exposure measures, outcome measures, methodology, and findings. Data from the literature demonstrate that neighborhood airplane, roadway, and rail noise pollution; air pollution from ozone and particulate matter (PM10); and, to some extent, ambient light, interfere with residents' ability to fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake feeling rested. There is also some evidence that neighborhood green space, walkability, safety, built environment, and other social characteristics, such as neighborhood disorder and ability to trust one's neighbors, dramatically impact residents' sleep. This article provides a critical assessment of the multidimensional relationship between neighborhood physical and social characteristics and sleep, addresses major methodological concerns that limit current empirical knowledge, and suggests steps to shape future research. •Aspects of the physical and social environment can profoundly influence sleep.•Sleep should be considered as part of public health interventions for promoting physical and mental well-being.•The literature in this area would benefit from more consistent use of objective sleep and environmental measures.