Direct
costs have been estimated at US$13 billion per annum
in physician visits, prescriptions and procedures21.
Indirect costs associated with motor vehicle and
workplace accidents, reduced productivity, and
absenteeism account for the majority of the economic
consequences of insomnia. Patients with insomnia in
particular have been found to be two and a half times
more likely to report car crashes because of feeling tired
as compared to those who do not report insomnia22,23.
In an Australian study, the annual cost of work place
accidents was estimated to be in excess of AUS$1.9
billion and patients with insomnia were approximately
8 times more likely to have such accidents compared
to good sleepers