Submit to IJERPH Review for IJERPH Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Exploring the Link—Better Sleep Equals Better Health

Print Special Issue Flyer
Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
Published Papers

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Global Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2025) | Viewed by 21773

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Elaine Marqueze

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Epidemiology, Universidade Católica de Santos, Av. Conselheiro Nébias, 300 – Vila Matias, Santos 11015-002, SP, Brazil
Interests: chronobiology; sleep; shift work; epidemiology; public health

Dr. Cátia Reis

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

1. Católica Research Centre for Psychological Family and Social Wellbeing (CRC-W), Catholic University, 1649-023 Lisbon, Portugal
2. Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes (IMM), Faculdade de Medicina de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal
3. Instituto de Saúde Ambiental (ISAMB), Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-026 Lisbon, Portugal
Interests: aviation; sleep deprivation; shift work; actigraphy; sleep; melatonin; chronotypes

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Deficient sleep has dramatically impacted people's physical, mental, and social health, directly affecting productivity, safety, and quality of life in general. However, even though sleep is a central behavior in people's lives, consuming about 1/3 of the day for adults, sleep is often neglected. Sleep is a relevant risk factor for adverse health outcomes and a cause of several diseases, responsible for the decrease in life expectancy and harm to human performance.

As modern society (environment, social norms and demands, societal influences and pressures, globalization, and health disparities) plays a central role in sleep deficiency, it is necessary to understand its social and economic magnitude, since sleep deficiency is generally not recognized as a significant public health problem. On the other hand, the causal relationship between poor sleep and health outcomes is still unclear and studies are needed to explain their mechanisms of action.

Thus, this Special Issue invites the publication of innovative articles on various aspects of sleep and its impact on health (physical, mental, and social health), the relationship between sleep and work, learning, social organization, and the social costs of sleep, as well as interventions guidelines and policies for better sleep. Relevant areas include manuscripts encouraging transdisciplinarity, current methods, and new conceptual models. Original articles, reviews, meta-analyses, and perspectives will be accepted.

Dr. Elaine Marqueze
Dr. Cátia Reis
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

sleep
health
chronobiology
social organization
shift work
public health
risk factors
mechanisms
interventions
guidelines

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (8 papers)

Download All Papers

Order results

Result details

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review, Other

23 pages, 2228 KB

Open AccessArticle

Night-Time Exposure to Road, Railway, Aircraft, and Recreational Noise Is Associated with Hypnotic Psychotropic Drug Dispensing for Chronic Insomnia in the Paris Metropolitan Area

by Maxime Chauvineau, Sabine Host, Khadim Ndiaye, Matthieu Sineau, Victor Decourt, Manuel Hellot, Fanny Mietlicki and Damien Léger

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(11), 1647; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22111647 - 30 Oct 2025

Viewed by 866

Abstract

Urban environmental noise represents a major public health issue contributing to chronic sleep disturbances, mainly from road, aircraft, and railway traffic. Night-time recreational noise from cafés, bars, and restaurants has emerged as a frequent source of sleep complaints but remains poorly understood, along with the influence of sociodemographic and economic factors. We addressed this gap by conducting a large-scale ecological study across the Paris Metropolitan Area (~10.5 million inhabitants) examining associations between the Average Energetic Index of night-time noise (AEI L_n) from road, aircraft, railway, and recreational sources and the prevalence of adults aged 18–79 reimbursed for hypnotic psychotropic drugs prescribed for chronic insomnia between 2017 and 2019, stratified by sex, age, and socioeconomic status. The AEI L_n represents the population-weighted average energy noise level within each territory at night (22:00–06:00 in France), calculated at the IRIS level (~2487 inhabitants per IRIS). The dispensing of hypnotic psychotropic drugs concerned 513,276 inhabitants (65.4 per 1000 inhabitants [‰]) on average per year. About 8 million inhabitants (75.7%) are exposed to night-time road traffic noise exceeding WHO health guidelines, followed by railway (~1.2 million, 11.6%), recreational (~1.2 million, 11.5%), and aircraft noise (~1.0 million, 9.8%). Each 5 dB(A) increase in AEI L_n was significantly associated (p < 0.001) with higher dispensing of hypnotic psychotropic drugs, strongest for road noise (+1.0‰), followed by recreational (+0.8‰), aircraft (+0.5‰), and railway noise (+0.3‰). Effects were significantly greater among individuals aged >50 (+8.3‰), women (+2.0‰), and those in the most socioeconomically deprived areas (+2.5‰). These results support proactive public policies aimed at reducing noise from transportation and recreational activities in densely urban areas to mitigate chronic insomnia. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring the Link—Better Sleep Equals Better Health)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 529 KB

Open AccessArticle

Demographic Differences in Periodic Limb Movement Index and Apnea–Hypopnea Index in a Diverse Clinical Cohort

by Lourdes M. DelRosso, Harshil Modi, Alec M. Chan-Golston, Prabhvir Sandhu, Viraj Jain and Moon Park

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(10), 1476; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22101476 - 24 Sep 2025

Viewed by 1161

Abstract

This study investigated how age, sex, and ethnicity relate to the severity of periodic limb movement index (PLMI) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in a diverse clinical population. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 711 adults who underwent diagnostic polysomnography between June 2022 and July 2024. The mean age was 57.2 years; 55.6% were female, and the sample was ethnically diverse (53.7% White, 31.6% Hispanic, 6.8% Asian, 6.1% Black, 1.8% Other). PLMI was significantly higher in older adults, males, and White participants. AHI was higher in males and peaked in middle-aged adults (44–62 years). Multivariable regression models showed that male sex independently predicted higher PLMI and AHI, while increasing age was associated with higher PLMI only. Black ethnicity was linked to lower PLMI, and Hispanic ethnicity to higher AHI. These findings emphasize the role of demographic factors in the presentation of sleep disorders and support the need for personalized approaches in screening and diagnosis. Recognizing at-risk subgroups may improve early detection and targeted interventions for both PLMS and OSA in diverse populations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring the Link—Better Sleep Equals Better Health)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 491 KB

Open AccessArticle

Sleep Characteristics and Prevalence of Perceived Insufficient Sleep Across Age Groups in the Japanese Community-Based General Population: The Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort Daiko Study

by Emi Morita, Hiroshi Kadotani, Naoto Yamada, Yoko Mitsuda, Takashi Tamura and Kenji Wakai

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(9), 1338; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22091338 - 27 Aug 2025

Viewed by 2842

Abstract

This study aimed to provide basic data according to age on objective sleep duration distribution and sleep characteristics via subjectivity, and to determine the prevalence of insufficient sleep and related sleep parameters in the general Japanese population. Data from the second survey of the Japan Multi-Institutional Cohort (J-MICC) Daiko Study were used for the analysis, with 2091 participants (1556 women; 58.6 ± 9.8 years old) included. Questionnaires included subjective sleep duration, perceived sufficiency, regularity, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Morningness–Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ), and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Sleep measurements were taken via actigraphy for one week. In total, 247 (11.8%) respondents reported insufficient sleep and 953 (45.6%) reported somewhat insufficient sleep. Working-age adults had shorter subjective and measured sleep durations than those aged ≥ 60 years. About 20% of those aged ≥ 50 years and more than 30% of those aged < 50 years reported ≥2 h of sleep deprivation. Perceived insufficient sleep was associated with irregular sleep but not sleep efficiency or sleep latency. Additionally, sleep duration perceived as insufficient varied among individuals. Individual differences in sleep duration and sleep efficiency were greater than those based on age. In conclusion, implementing measures to address sleep deprivation in Japan’s working-age population are essential, and future epidemiological studies should consider individual differences. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring the Link—Better Sleep Equals Better Health)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 363 KB

Open AccessArticle

Impaired Responses to In Vitro Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Stimulation After Long-Term, Rotating Shift Work

by Denise M. Jackson and Oscar Castanon-Cervantes

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(5), 791; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22050791 - 17 May 2025

Viewed by 842

Abstract

Shift work is a common labor practice affecting nearly 30% of the U.S. workforce. Long-term, rotating-shift work is particularly harmful to health. Persistent sleep deprivation in shift workers, among other factors, facilitates the development of a state of subclinical but chronic systemic inflammation with a high incidence and prevalence of infections and inflammation-related pathologies, suggesting an underlying disruption of immune responses. However, despite this state of chronic immune activation, cell-mediated inflammatory responses in rotating-shift workers are poorly understood. Here, we used lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to stimulate peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from rotating-shift workers and healthy day-shift workers and investigate their immune responses. The results showed that PBMCs from rotating-shift workers had a dampened inflammatory response. Specifically, the secretion of LPS-induced TNF-α in culture supernatants was significantly reduced compared to the response found in PBMCs from day-shift workers. However, anti-inflammatory responses, reflected by the secretion of LPS-induced IL-10, were indistinguishable between PBMCs from day-shift and rotating-shift workers. In addition, the correlation between the plasma concentration of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP, a marker of systemic inflammation) and LPS-induced responses was disrupted only in rotating-shift workers, suggesting that in this group, an impaired mechanism that weakens the relationship between pro- and anti-inflammatory signaling may underlie the hypo-responsiveness of PBMCs. Our results suggest that persistent subclinical systemic inflammation in rotating-shift workers disrupts cell-mediated immunity, increasing the risk of infection and other inflammation-related pathologies in this population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring the Link—Better Sleep Equals Better Health)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 1081 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Morning Meditation and Sleep Quality on Affective and Health Outcomes in Healthcare Workers

by Ana Junça-Silva, Marisa Kulyk and António Caetano

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(4), 592; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22040592 - 9 Apr 2025

Viewed by 5281

Abstract

Background: Health is a critical factor influencing key workplace outcomes, including job attitudes, behaviors, and performance. This study investigated the role of daily micro-breaks, specifically morning meditation practices, and positive affective experiences (i.e., positive affect) at work in predicting health-related outcomes, namely vitality and mental health. Using a non-experimental design, this study tested a moderated mediation model in which sleep quality moderates the relationship between morning meditation and positive affect, which, in turn, predicts end-of-the-day health-related outcomes. Methodology: Data were collected twice a day from 44 healthcare employees over five consecutive workdays using a daily survey approach. Key Results: Multilevel modeling analyses revealed that morning meditation was significantly associated with increased positive affect and improved health indicators at the end of the workday. Moreover, sleep quality moderated the relationship between morning meditation and positive affect, such that the conditional indirect effect of meditation on end-of-day mental health and vitality via positive affect was significant when sleep quality from the preceding night was poor. Conclusions: These findings underscore the interactive effect of prior-night sleep quality and morning meditation on affective and health-related outcomes by the end of the day. By identifying sleep quality as a key boundary condition, we contribute to a more nuanced understanding of when meditation is most beneficial. Our findings have significant implications for both research and practice, particularly in high-stress environments such as healthcare, where optimizing employee well-being is crucial for both individual and organizational performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring the Link—Better Sleep Equals Better Health)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research, Other

14 pages, 623 KB

Open AccessReview

Artificial Light at Night, Sleep Disruption, and Liver Health: Implications for MASLD Pathogenesis

by Damaris Guadalupe Nieva-Ramírez, Misael Uribe and Natalia Nuño-Lámbarri

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(11), 1729; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22111729 - 15 Nov 2025

Viewed by 1716

Abstract

This narrative review explores the role of artificial light at night (ALAN) as an emerging environmental determinant of liver and metabolic health, with particular emphasis on its contribution to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). The objective was to synthesize and critically evaluate experimental and epidemiological evidence linking nocturnal light exposure, circadian disruption, and hepatic metabolic alterations. Literature was retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases covering the period 1980–2025 using predefined search terms related to ALAN, circadian rhythm disturbance, melatonin suppression, sleep disruption, and MASLD. Relevant experimental studies in animal models and observational studies in humans were included. Evidence indicates that blue-enriched light (~460–480 nm) suppresses melatonin, desynchronizes central and hepatic circadian clocks, and disrupts glucose–lipid metabolism, leading to insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and hepatic steatosis. Chronic ALAN exposure also alters gut microbiota composition and increases intestinal permeability, suggesting a light–gut–liver axis in MASLD pathogenesis. Human epidemiological studies associate higher environmental ALAN exposure with obesity, metabolic syndrome, and poor sleep quality—recognized risk factors for MASLD. Recognizing ALAN as a modifiable environmental exposure highlights the need for public health strategies and clinical guidelines to mitigate its metabolic impact through improved lighting design and sleep hygiene. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring the Link—Better Sleep Equals Better Health)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

29 pages, 854 KB

Open AccessReview

Organizational Risk Factors for Aircrew Health: A Systematic Review of Observational Studies

by Elaine Cristina Marqueze, Erika Alvim de Sá e Benevides, Ana Carolina Russo, Mariana Souza Gomes Fürst, Rodrigo Cauduro Roscani, Paulo Cesar Vaz Guimarães and Celso Amorim Salim

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(4), 3401; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20043401 - 15 Feb 2023

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4420

Abstract

Addressing the field of health and safety at work, the primary objective of the present systematic review was to analyze the organizational risk factors for aircrew health according to professional category (flight attendants and pilots/co-pilots) and their consequences. The secondary objective was to identify the countries in which studies were carried out, focusing on the quality of content of the publications. The Medline/Pubmed, Cochrane, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were searched for eligible studies according to PRISMA statements. The risk of bias and the methodological quality of the studies were assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale and Loney tools. Of the 3230 abstracts of articles screened, 36 studies met the inclusion criteria. Most of the research conducted on risk factors for the work organization of aircrew was carried out in the United States and the European Union and had moderate or low-quality methodology and evidence. However, the findings are homogeneous and allow the most prevalent organizational risk factors for the health of aircrew to be determined, namely, high work demand, long hours, and night work. Consequently, the most pervasive health problems were sleep disturbances, mental health disorders, musculoskeletal disorders, and fatigue. Thus, the regulation of the aircrew profession must prioritize measures that minimize these risk factors to promote better health and sleep for these professionals and, consequently, to provide excellent safety for workers and passengers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring the Link—Better Sleep Equals Better Health)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Other

Jump to: Research, Review

11 pages, 382 KB

Open AccessPerspective

Are We Ready to Implement Circadian Hygiene Interventions and Programs?

by Claudia R. C. Moreno, Rose Raad, Waléria D. P. Gusmão, Cristina S. Luz, Victor M. Silva, Renilda M. Prestes, Susy P. Saraiva, Lucia C. Lemos, Suleima P. Vasconcelos, Patrícia X. S. A. Nehme, Fernando M. Louzada and Elaine C. Marqueze

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(24), 16772; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192416772 - 14 Dec 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3481

Abstract

Circadian hygiene, a concept not to be confused with the notion of public or social hygiene, should be discussed among experts and society. Light–dark cycles and other possible synchronizers of the human circadian timing system affect ways of life, including sleeping, eating, working and physical activity. Some of these behaviors have also been investigated individually as synchronizers (e.g., eating times). Therefore, the knowledge held today about circadian rhythms, and their implications for health, allows future perspectives in this field to be mapped. The present article summarizes the latest knowledge on factors influencing circadian rhythms to discuss a perspective for the future of health promotion based on circadian hygiene. However, it is important to highlight that circadian hygiene is the product of an imbrication of individual and societal involvement. First, it is important to adopt practices and devise public health policies in line with circadian hygiene. Second, individual healthy habits require internal rhythms to be examined. Last, the research agenda on circadian hygiene can be developed on a public as well as individual level, raising the question as to how much society is willing to embrace this change. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring the Link—Better Sleep Equals Better Health)

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Displaying articles 1-8

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Exploring the Link—Better Sleep Equals Better Health

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Published Papers (8 papers)

Research

Review

Other

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI