Almost half the British population say they get six hours’ sleep a night or less, compared with around a twelfth in 1942. The truth is that poorer people sleep worse. Racism may itself affect sleep, perhaps because of the stress it causes; African Americans who report discrimination are more likely to say they sleep poorly than those who do not. Sleep is a social justice issue, requiring social solutions. Far worse is deliberately denying sleep – as international law recognises in listing extreme deprivation as a form of torture.

Source: The Guardian March 15, 2018 18:33 UTC