With Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s confirmation as Health and Human Services Secretary under President Trump, sleep specialist Jeffrey Rose is optimistic about the potential for positive change within the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement. Rose, a strong advocate for sleep health, emphasizes the critical role of adequate sleep, particularly for teenagers.
Rose points to a nationwide issue of chronic sleep deprivation, especially among high school students, hindering their ability to focus and learn effectively, regardless of school quality or teacher competence. He advocates for teenagers to get the recommended 8-10 hours of sleep, a goal currently unattainable for many. Rose, also the New York State legislative coordinator for Start School Later, actively campaigns for later school start times across the U.S.
He believes this change is the most impactful reform possible for high school education. Rose links sleep deprivation to a cascade of negative consequences, including increased reliance on substances like alcohol, marijuana, Adderall, and Ritalin. He cites data from the CDC's Youth Risk Behavior Survey, revealing that over 77% of high school students report insufficient sleep on school nights.
Rose highlights the positive outcomes of later start times, including improved immune function, reduced absenteeism, fewer car accidents, enhanced athletic performance, and better academic results. He notes that while Dr. Oz has addressed sleep health, the topic remains largely overlooked, and he's discussed this concern with Kennedy, who is receptive to the issue. Now that the confirmation process is complete, Rose anticipates more focused discussions on crucial health matters like sleep.
California and Florida have implemented legislation for later school start times, though Florida's 2023 law faces potential reversal. The debate continues, with proponents citing benefits for student focus and well-being, while opponents express concerns about working parents and extracurricular activities. Research on the impact of later start times offers mixed findings. A 2021 University of Minnesota study observed a slight increase in GPAs, while a 2022 Colorado study reported decreased stress and increased restfulness in students after implementing later start times. The focus remains on middle and high school students, the age group most vulnerable to the negative impacts of sleep deprivation.
