Clinical pharmacist and MAHA Report contributor Amy Sapola said early school start times are contributing to widespread sleep deprivation among teenagers during an interview on the Health Policy Podcast.
Sapola explained that the circadian rhythm of teenagers shifts as they get older, leading them to stay up until about 11 p.m., and when school starts before 8:30 a.m., they are unable to get the eight to ten hours of sleep needed for optimal brain function.
Sapola cited research indicating that approximately 43% of U.S. high schools start before 8 a.m. She referenced studies showing that later school start times are linked to lower rates of teen car accidents and improved student outcomes.
"If structurally, our system and our policies don’t allow kids enough duration of sleep, that is where the problem lies," Sapola said.
The conversation also addressed broader health effects of sleep deprivation in teenagers, including impacts on metabolic health, immune function, cardiovascular health, anxiety, depression, and academic performance.
"We know that sleep deprivation really affects every part of the system. I think that sleep is actually more important [than nutrition]," Sapola said.
Sapola discussed how many teenagers use caffeine and energy drinks in an attempt to compensate for lack of sleep.
"Oftentimes we’re training kids to use substances to feel normal from this sleep deficit by depending on caffeine or other energy drinks," she said. She also provided practical advice for families such as monitoring screen time, reducing caffeine consumption especially later in the day, adjusting light exposure around dusk, and encouraging regular physical activity.
Policy discussions surrounding the Make America Healthy Again initiative were highlighted in the episode. "One exciting thing is in the 2025 MAHA Commission report, they actually labeled sleep as a national crisis for children and teens," Sapola said.
