[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_color=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_header admin_label=”Scotland Speaks” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”|700|||||||” title_text_align=”center” title_text_color=”#1f4380″ title_font_size=”50px” content_font=”Poppins||||||||” background_enable_color=”off” background_layout=”light” custom_margin=”12px||-24px|||” custom_padding=”21px||0px|||” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”bottom” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][et_pb_fullwidth_header admin_label=”Blurb” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ title_font=”|700|||||||” title_text_align=”center” title_text_color=”#1f4380″ title_font_size=”50px” content_font=”Poppins||||||||” content_font_size=”17px” background_enable_color=”off” background_layout=”light” custom_margin=”5px|||||” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”bottom” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Decades of research has told us that inadequate sleep is linked to health risks and societal burden, yet the UK still lacks a concerted sleep health strategy. As such, the Scotland Speaks<\/i> study was designed to address this gap by exploring the sleep health and perceptions of adults and children in Scotland. In this manner, the project aims to support and guide the development stronger public health policies, healthcare infrastructure, and national awareness for the importance of sleep.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/medicine.st-andrews.ac.uk\/teensleepwell\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2026\/06\/Scotland-Speaks-e1780520322294.png” title_text=”Scotland Speaks Logo” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-42px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_url=”#FindingsSS” button_text=”Study Findings” button_alignment=”center” admin_label=”Button – Findings” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_bg_color=”#1f4380″ button_border_radius=”0px” button_icon=”3||divi||400″ background_layout=”dark” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_url=”#FutureDirectionsSS” button_text=”Future Directions” button_alignment=”center” admin_label=”Button – Future Directions” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_bg_color=”#1f4380″ button_border_radius=”0px” button_icon=”3||divi||400″ background_layout=”dark” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_url=”#SSResources” button_text=”Media & Publications” button_alignment=”center” admin_label=”Button – Related Publications” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_bg_color=”#1f4380″ button_border_radius=”0px” button_icon=”3||divi||400″ background_layout=”dark” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#568fc7″ custom_padding=”13px||2px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”12px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”Poppins|700|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_2_font_size=”40px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,1_4,1_4,1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-30px|auto||auto||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_icon font_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_color=”#FFFFFF” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”bottom” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_icon][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”bottom” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Sleep is a fundamental pillar of <\/span><\/span><\/span>health, yet in Scotland it\u00a0<\/span><\/span>remains <\/span><\/span><\/span>absent from national strategy and <\/span><\/span><\/span>public health policy.<\/span><\/span>\u200b<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_icon font_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_color=”#FFFFFF” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”bottom” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_icon][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”bottom” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Despite\u00a0<\/span><\/span>strong evidence<\/span><\/span> of associations\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>with cardiovascular, metabolic, and <\/span><\/span><\/span>mental health problems, sleep is still <\/span><\/span><\/span>framed as an individual lifestyle issue.<\/span><\/span>\u200b<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”Poppins|800|||||||” header_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_font_size=”60px” custom_margin=”26px|||||” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”bottom” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”bottom” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n In 2023, the World Sleep Society <\/span><\/span><\/span>recognised sleep as a global public <\/span><\/span><\/span>health concern, placing it alongside <\/span><\/span><\/span>diet, exercise, and mental health.<\/span><\/span>\u200b<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_icon font_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_color=”#FFFFFF” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”bottom” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_icon][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”bottom” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Several countries have already <\/span><\/span><\/span>integrated sleep into health policy, but <\/span><\/span><\/span>Scotland has yet to\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>take action<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u200b<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#1a1849″ custom_padding=”11px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||12px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”Poppins|700|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_2_font_size=”40px” header_3_font=”Poppins||on||||||” header_3_text_color=”#94b2e0″ custom_margin=”||17px|||” animation_style=”fade” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”1px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_icon font_icon=”||fa||400″ icon_color=”#94b2e0″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-4px||10px|||” animation_style=”fade” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_icon][et_pb_text module_class=”white-link” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Scotland Speaks<\/em> attracted significant media attention, with coverage by the BBC<\/a>, the Herald<\/a>, and the Universities Scotland<\/a> Universal Partners campaign.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_cta admin_label=”Description of study” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”|-42px||-30px||” custom_padding=”26px||19px|||” border_radii=”on|25px|25px|25px|25px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Scotland Speaks\u00a0<\/em>is a mixed-methods study that collected and analysed data via an online survey\u00a0<\/strong>of Scottish adults – gathering information on their\u00a0 sleep habits and perception of sleep’s role in health and public policy.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_cta][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_number_counter title=”Individuals filled out the survey, making the study the world’s largest national sleep study.” number=”5039″ percent_sign=”off” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_align=”center” title_text_color=”#FFFFFF” number_font=”|800|||||||” number_text_color=”#94b2e0″ custom_margin=”26px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_number_counter][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_color=”off” custom_margin=”-30px|auto||auto||” custom_padding=”64px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider color=”#FFFFFF” divider_weight=”5px” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”15px|-46px||||” custom_padding=”|45px||46px||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Adult Sleep Findings” module_id=”FindingsSS” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#4e8fcf” header_text_color=”#1f4380″ header_2_font=”Poppins||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_2_font_size=”30px” custom_margin=”5px||-13px|||” custom_padding=”|0px||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider color=”#FFFFFF” divider_weight=”5px” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”15px|||||” custom_padding=”|45px||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_margin=”|auto|0px|auto||” custom_padding=”10px|19px||17px||” border_radii=”on|25px|25px|25px|25px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#1a1849″ text_font_size=”19px” custom_margin=”41px||21px|||” custom_padding=”|12px||9px||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Guidelines recommend between 7 and 9 hours<\/strong> of sleep per night<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font=”|800|||||||” header_3_text_color=”#1f4380″ header_3_font_size=”40px” custom_margin=”||20px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n of adults fail to meet these guidelines (<7 hours of sleep) on weeknights<\/strong>.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font=”|800|||||||” header_3_text_color=”#1f4380″ header_3_font_size=”40px” custom_margin=”-33px||20px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n of adults fail to meet these guidelines (<7 hours of sleep) on weekends<\/strong>.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_circle_counter title=”Of sampled adults reported moderate-to-severe insomnia symptoms” number=”47″ circle_color=”#686868″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”|700|||||||” title_text_color=”#1f4380″ title_font_size=”17px” number_font=”Poppins|800|||||||” number_text_color=”#1f4380″ background_enable_color=”off” max_width=”238px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”11px|-3px|-2px|auto|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_circle_counter][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|12px||9px||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n At nearly half<\/em> of sampled adults in Scotland, this figure highlights the need for sleep education and policy reform.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_icon font_icon=”q||divi||400″ icon_width=”70px” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”39px||18px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_icon][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” header_6_font=”|600|on||||||” header_6_font_size=”15px” custom_margin=”||-1px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||6px|||” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_icon font_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_width=”70px” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-16px||10px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_icon][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Women, on average, got less sleep & poorer quality sleep compared to men.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_color=”off” custom_margin=”-30px|auto||auto||” custom_padding=”64px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider color=”#FFFFFF” divider_weight=”5px” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”15px|-46px||||” custom_padding=”|45px||46px||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Sleeping Aids” module_id=”FindingsSS” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#4e8fcf” header_text_color=”#1f4380″ header_2_font=”Poppins||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_2_font_size=”30px” custom_margin=”5px||-13px|||” custom_padding=”|0px||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider color=”#FFFFFF” divider_weight=”5px” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”15px|||||” custom_padding=”|45px||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_margin=”|auto|0px|auto||” custom_padding=”10px|19px||17px||” border_radii=”on|25px|25px|25px|25px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_circle_counter title=”Of sampled adults reported using some form of sleep aid” number=”36.1″ circle_color=”#686868″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”|700|||||||” title_text_color=”#1f4380″ title_font_size=”17px” number_font=”Poppins|800|||||||” number_text_color=”#1f4380″ background_enable_color=”off” max_width=”238px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”44px|-3px|-2px|auto|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_circle_counter][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_icon font_icon=”||fa||900″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||5px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_icon][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||13px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n 41.5%<\/strong> of this group reported using alcohol at least once per week to help them sleep*. This habit was more common in men.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_icon font_icon=”||fa||900″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_icon][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-24px||13px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n 28.6%\u00a0<\/b>Used prescription sleep medications. This was more common amongst women.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_icon font_icon=”||fa||900″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||5px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_icon][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||13px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n 20.3%<\/strong> used alternative medicine therapies to help sleep. This was also more common amongst women.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_icon font_icon=”||fa||900″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”19px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_icon][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-24px||13px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n 9.6% <\/b>Used physical sleep aids, such as eye masks. This was more common amongst women.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_margin=”-48px|auto||auto||” custom_padding=”25px|||||” border_radii=”on|25px|25px|25px|25px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” header_5_font=”Poppins||||||||” header_5_text_color=”#1f4380″ header_5_font_size=”18px” custom_margin=”10px|||||” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Semi-structured interviews are being conducted to <\/span><\/span><\/span>understand the lived experience of people who use <\/span><\/span><\/span>alcohol as a sleep aid more than once a week.<\/span><\/span>\u200b<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_color=”off” custom_margin=”-30px|auto||auto||” custom_padding=”64px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider color=”#FFFFFF” divider_weight=”5px” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”15px|-46px||||” custom_padding=”|45px||46px||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Child Sleep Findings” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#4e8fcf” header_text_color=”#1f4380″ header_2_font=”Poppins||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_2_font_size=”30px” custom_margin=”5px||-13px|||” custom_padding=”|0px||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider color=”#FFFFFF” divider_weight=”5px” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”15px|||||” custom_padding=”|45px||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_margin=”2px|auto||auto||” custom_padding=”37px|31px||55px||” border_radii=”on|25px|25px|25px|25px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_5_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_5_font_size=”17px” header_5_line_height=”1.5em” background_color=”#1f4380″ custom_margin=”10px||28px|||” custom_padding=”39px|50px|31px|50px||” border_radii=”on|25px|25px|25px|25px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_circle_counter title=”…of children met the threshold for sleep problems” number=”50.3″ circle_color=”#686868″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”|700|||||||” title_text_color=”#1f4380″ title_font_size=”17px” number_font=”Poppins|800|||||||” number_text_color=”#1f4380″ background_enable_color=”off” max_width=”238px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”6px|-3px|-2px|auto|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_circle_counter][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The most common factors affecting child sleep were…<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/medicine.st-andrews.ac.uk\/teensleepwell\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2026\/06\/Scotland-Speaks-2-e1780634160273.png” title_text=”Scotland Speaks” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Child Sleep Findings” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#4e8fcf” header_text_color=”#1f4380″ header_2_font=”Poppins||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_2_font_size=”30px” header_5_text_color=”#94b2e0″ header_5_font_size=”18px” custom_margin=”5px||-13px|||” custom_padding=”|0px||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,1_4,1_4,1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_number_counter title=”Did not have knowledge of existing sleep policies and guidelines” number=”89″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_align=”center” title_text_color=”#FFFFFF” title_line_height=”1.2em” number_font=”|700|||||||” number_text_color=”#FFFFFF” number_font_size=”50px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_number_counter][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_number_counter title=”Would support government funding for sleep research and a national sleep strategy” number=”91″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_align=”center” title_text_color=”#FFFFFF” title_line_height=”1.2em” number_font=”|700|||||||” number_text_color=”#94b2e0″ number_font_size=”50px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_number_counter][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_number_counter title=”Support inclusion of sleep education in the school curriculum” number=”92″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_align=”center” title_text_color=”#FFFFFF” title_line_height=”1.2em” number_font=”|700|||||||” number_text_color=”#FFFFFF” number_font_size=”50px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_number_counter][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_number_counter title=”Support expanding related public health campaigns and clinical access” number=”89″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_align=”center” title_text_color=”#FFFFFF” title_line_height=”1.2em” number_font=”|700|||||||” number_text_color=”#94b2e0″ number_font_size=”50px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_number_counter][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”1px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||12px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Future Action” module_id=”FutureDirectionsSS” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”Poppins|700|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#1f4380″ header_2_font_size=”40px” header_4_text_color=”#007dc5″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Based on themes that arose from free-text responses on the survey and consultations with various stakeholders (families, researchers, healthcare professionals, etc…), a three-pronged approach to change has been been developed.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/medicine.st-andrews.ac.uk\/teensleepwell\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2026\/06\/Scotland-Speaks-1-2-e1780638467385.png” title_text=”Scotland Speaks (1)” admin_label=”3 prongs” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-32px||-12px|||” custom_padding=”8px|34px|0px|33px||” animation_direction=”bottom” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||18px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Education” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font=”Poppins||||||||” header_3_text_align=”center” header_3_text_color=”#007dc5″ custom_margin=”||4px|||” custom_padding=”|||1px||” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”right” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”11px|-25px|-14px|9px||” custom_padding=”7px|0px||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n A key component of improving national sleep standards is through education: systematically teaching about sleep health in schools to enact longstanding change.\u00a0<\/p>\n This outcome is being addressed through the Sleep Well Scotland project<\/strong>, which has raised and secured cross-sector support to integrate sleep education into Scotland’s national\u00a0Curriculum for Excellence<\/strong>.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/medicine.st-andrews.ac.uk\/teensleepwell\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2026\/05\/SWS-logo-e1780309420817.png” title_text=”SWS logo” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”13px||-41px|||” custom_padding=”0px|18px||36px||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/medicine.st-andrews.ac.uk\/SleepHealth\/projects\/sleep-well-scotland\/” button_text=”Read more about the project here” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”15px” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#1f4380″ custom_margin=”35px|-9px|8px|-1px||” custom_padding=”|||5px||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Clinical” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font=”Poppins||||||||” header_3_text_align=”center” header_3_text_color=”#007dc5″ custom_margin=”||18px|||” custom_padding=”|||0px||” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”right” animation_duration=”1500ms” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_cta button_text=”Click Here” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#387bab” custom_padding=”26px|18px|0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Currently, there is only 1 paediatric sleep clinic in Scotland<\/strong>, and its primary focus is obstructive sleep apnoea, leaving children with\u202fbehavioural or insomnia-related sleep issues\u202fwithout appropriate care.<\/em><\/p>\n \n [\/et_pb_cta][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-7px|-25px|-14px|-21px||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n This outcome will be addressed through the creation of clinical guidance materials<\/strong> to effectively train primary care physicians how to properly recognise, intervene, and refer paediatric sleep issues, ensuring sleep care is more equitably and widely distributed throughout the population.<\/p>\n The guidance materials will be co-created by expert physicians, public health specialists, and families in order to ensure practicality and ease of integration into clinical practice.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Awareness” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font=”Poppins||||||||” header_3_text_align=”center” header_3_text_color=”#007dc5″ custom_margin=”||11px|||” custom_padding=”|||0px||” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”right” animation_duration=”2000ms” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||10px|||” custom_padding=”|0px||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n ,A newly formed Public H<\/span>ealth Messaging Board for Sleep<\/span><\/strong> and a team of University of St Andrews student<\/span> ambassadors will design\u202f<\/span><\/span>educational marketing materials<\/span><\/span>\u202ffor use across schools, community hubs, healthcare settings, and social media.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Meanwhile, as part of Scotland Speaks Phase 2, stakeholders will collaborate to create a National Sleep Health Report<\/strong> with policy-ready recommendations, proposed <\/span><\/span>national guidelines, and health interventions. <\/span><\/span>\u202fPolicy\u00a0<\/span>round-tables<\/span>\u00a0and briefings<\/span><\/span>\u202f<\/span>with the<\/span>\u202f<\/span><\/span>Scottish Government<\/span><\/span><\/strong>\u202f<\/span><\/strong>and<\/span>\u202f<\/span><\/span>Public Health Scotland<\/span><\/span><\/strong>\u202f<\/span><\/strong>will translate these into action.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/medicine.st-andrews.ac.uk\/teensleepwell\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2026\/06\/Scotland-Speaks-e1780520322294.png” title_text=”Scotland Speaks Logo” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-15px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#1f4380″ custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-43px|auto||auto||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Still curious? \/ Find more resources” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”Poppins|800|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_2_font_size=”40px” header_3_font=”Poppins|600|||||||” header_3_text_color=”#94b2e0″ header_3_font_size=”30px” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” module_id=”SSResources” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/medicine.st-andrews.ac.uk\/SleepHealth\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2026\/07\/Screenshot-2026-07-09-at-16.44.20.png” title_text=”Screenshot 2026-07-09 at 16.44.20″ url=”https:\/\/medicine.st-andrews.ac.uk\/SleepHealth\/resource-hub\/for-researchers\/” admin_label=”Image\/Link to Resources” module_class=”lbe-resources-link” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-16px|||||” custom_padding=”|218px||215px||” box_shadow_style=”preset4″ box_shadow_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-20px|auto||auto||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider color=”#FFFFFF” divider_weight=”3px” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||4px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_font_size=”17px” header_4_font=”Poppins|600|||||||” header_4_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_4_font_size=”20px” custom_margin=”||11px|||” custom_padding=”|135px||135px||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Scotland Speaks phase 2 was funded by the UK Medical Research Council (MRC).\u00a0<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/medicine.st-andrews.ac.uk\/SleepHealth\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/57\/2026\/07\/Screenshot-2026-07-12-at-18.01.39.png” title_text=”Screenshot 2026-07-12 at 18.01.39″ _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”|400px||400px||” border_radii=”on|25px|25px|25px|25px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_divider color=”#FFFFFF” divider_weight=”3px” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||4px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_font_size=”17px” header_4_font=”Poppins|600|||||||” header_4_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_4_font_size=”20px” custom_margin=”||11px|||” custom_padding=”|135px||135px||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Gale EL, Donnelly PD. A national study and public mandate for sleep health policy reform [conference presentation]. Presented at: World Sleep 2025; 2025 Sep 5\u201310; Singapore.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Scotland Speaks The World’s Largest National Sleep StudyDecades of research has told us that inadequate sleep is linked to health risks and societal burden, yet the UK still lacks a concerted sleep health strategy. As such, the Scotland Speaks study was designed to address this gap by exploring the sleep health and perceptions of adults […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5691,"featured_media":0,"parent":157,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-370","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/medicine.st-andrews.ac.uk\/SleepHealth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/370","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/medicine.st-andrews.ac.uk\/SleepHealth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/medicine.st-andrews.ac.uk\/SleepHealth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medicine.st-andrews.ac.uk\/SleepHealth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5691"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medicine.st-andrews.ac.uk\/SleepHealth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=370"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/medicine.st-andrews.ac.uk\/SleepHealth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/370\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medicine.st-andrews.ac.uk\/SleepHealth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/157"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/medicine.st-andrews.ac.uk\/SleepHealth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=370"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Scroll or click below to learn more…<\/strong><\/h6>\n
The Public Policy Gap<\/h2>\n
2023<\/h1>\n
Scotland Speaks<\/h2>\n
\u00a0A National Mixed-Methods Study and Public Mandate for Sleep Health Policy Reform<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
Adult Sleep Findings<\/strong><\/em><\/h2>\n
\n
77%<\/h3>\n
35%<\/h3>\n
The most common barriers to sleep included:<\/h6>\n
\n
Sleeping Aid Use<\/strong><\/em><\/h2>\n
*These findings have led to a follow-up study on Alcohol as a Sleep Aid<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Child Sleep Findings<\/strong><\/em><\/h2>\n
In the online survey, respondents were asked if they had any children under 18. If so, they were asked to provide some insight into their child(ren)’s sleep behaviours.<\/h5>\n
\n
Support for Policy Change
<\/b>Despite the sleep impairments seen above, the study suggests\u00a0strong public support<\/strong> for sleep policy change<\/span><\/h2>\nFuture Action<\/h2>\n
Where do we go from here?<\/h4>\n
Education & Curriculum Development<\/h3>\n
Improved Access to Clinical Support & Guidance<\/h3>\n
<\/blockquote>\n
Enhancing Public Awareness<\/span> and Actioning Policy Change<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
Still Curious?<\/h2>\n
Access study news<\/a> & publications<\/a><\/h3>\n
Funding<\/h4>\n
Page References<\/h4>\n