Deloitte Access Economics has released a report on the economic cost of sleep disorders in Australia.

 

The report, commissioned by the Sleep Health Foundation, followed Access Economics’ 2004 report , Wake up Australia. The new report focuses on on three of the most recognised and researched sleep disorders: obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), restless legs syndrome (RLS) and primary insomnia.

 

In 2010 there were an estimated 1.5 million Australians (8.9% of the population) with these sleep disorders, comprising approximately:

  • 775,000 people with OSA (4.7%);
  • 492,000 people with primary insomnia (3%); and
  • 199,000 people with RLS (1.2%).

 

The total health care cost of sleep disorders in 2010 was estimated to be $818 million.

 

Indirect financial costs associated with sleep disorders and conditions attributable to them were estimated to be $4.3 billion in 2010.

  • This includes $3.1 billion in lost productivity due to premature workforce separation and mortality, and absenteeism.
  • The deadweight loss of raising revenue to fund lost productivity, public health expenditure, social security payments and a number of costs associated with motor vehicle accidents that were due to sleep disorders cost $472 million.
  • Informal care and other costs of motor vehicle and workplace accidents amounted to $129 million and $517 million respectively.
  • OSA accounted for 62% of the total cost ($2.6 billion) while insomnia contributed $1.5 billion (36%) and RLS $115 million (3%).

 

The report looks at the cost effectiveness of treatments, areas in which further research would be worthwhile and the value of education and awareness raising. It recommends the creation of a national coordination point with a forward national action plan.

 

The full report can be downloaded here.