The connections between sound pollution and sleep disturbance is well-documented (e.g., Kristiansen et al., 2011; Holt et al., 2015). Lack of sleep is a major health risk factor (Holt et al., 2012), which is aggravated by the presence of noise pollution from sources such as railway, road traffic, and aircrafts (Kristiansen et al., 2011).  

Numerous factors contribute to sleep disturbances among youth and children. Some of the most common among youth include chronic illness, psychological factors, exposure to screens, stress, and exposure to noise (Sivertsen & FHI, 2021). Folkehelseinstituttet (Aasvang, 2012, p. 6) – the Norwegian Institute of Public Health – estimate that between 2-3 % of the Norwegian population experience strong levels of sleep disturbance as a result of sound pollution.

In addition to individual factors, Bøe et al., (2012) report associations between children’s sleep problems and a family’s socioeconomic status. In a study of 11–13-year-old children in the city of Bergen, Norway, the authors report significantly higher odds of sleep problems for children in families with poor and average perceived family economy (Bøe et al., 2012, p. 430).

Given that past studies have established connections between sleep, sound pollution, and socioeconomic variables, this study aims to investigate whether these variables exhibit similar patterns in Oslo, Norway, and whether these patterns are spatial. I hypothesize that there is an between self-reported difficulties sleeping among youth and the noise levels in that youth’s neighborhood.

In order to test this hypothesis, noise pollution levels are aggregated to the inhabited areas Basic Statistical Unit (BSU, grunnkrets)[1]. The percent of a population exposed to noise pollution above a certain decibel level is included, along with other neighborhood and socioeconomic variables, in a regression analysis in order to test for potential associations.

Next: data & methods

[1] Basic statistical units are geographically coherent and shall be as homogeneous as possible with respect to natural conditions, economic base, communication and building structure. https://www.ssb.no/a/metadata/conceptvariable/vardok/135/en