Daylight saving time (DST), a practice followed by approximately 70 countries, is coming under scrutiny for its detrimental effects on public health, particularly among vulnerable populations. A recent article in the BMJ highlights how this biannual clock change disproportionately impacts minority groups and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, exacerbating existing health disparities.
The seasonal hour shift disrupts circadian rhythms, leading to sleep disturbances and a host of health problems. Research indicates that DST is associated with increased rates of cancer, obesity, heart attacks, diabetes, and suicide. These health risks are not evenly distributed across society, with minoritized populations bearing a heavier burden.
Workers from minority communities and lower socioeconomic groups are more likely to have early work start times, making them particularly susceptible to the negative effects of DST. The average U.S. adult worker loses 19 minutes of sleep daily during DST, but those starting work before 7 am lose an average of 36 minutes.
Adolescents, who naturally have a delayed circadian rhythm, are especially vulnerable to circadian disruption from DST. This can lead to “social jet lag,” which is associated with obesity, metabolic disorders, heart disease, depression, and poorer academic performance.
The article’s authors, including Karin Johnson, Lauren Hale, Dayna A Johnson, and Beth A Malow, argue for the elimination of DST to reduce sleep health inequity. They propose a return to permanent standard time, which aligns more closely with natural light patterns and could help mitigate these health disparities.
As the debate over DST continues, this research underscores the importance of considering the unequal health impacts of seemingly neutral policies on different segments of society.
See “Daylight saving time harms health and increases inequalities” (October 24, 2024)
