I admit it, I am a snorer.

For years, I treated it casually. Like many Jamaicans, I assumed it was one of those things people joked about and lived with. It never occurred to me that it was anything more than an inconvenience.

What I did notice, however, was how tired I felt. I found myself dozing off between meetings, grabbing moments of sleep wherever I could — in the car, in quiet gaps during long days, whenever the opportunity presented itself. I became very good at power-napping. I thought I had mastered it. What I did not realise at the time was how much I was compensating for poor sleep at night.

It was only after undergoing testing that I understood what was really happening. I was diagnosed with sleep apnoea, a condition that disrupts breathing during sleep and prevents the body from getting the rest it needs.

Today, I use a sleep machine at night. It is not glamorous, and it takes getting used to, but the difference has been meaningful. I sleep better, I function better, and I am no longer relying on exhaustion-fuelled naps to get through the day.

Looking back, I did not fully appreciate how poor sleep was affecting my focus, stamina, and overall well-being. Snoring is often treated lightly. It should not be.

A culture that downplays sleep

In my daily interactions I am often reminded how casually we speak about sleep, or the lack of it. One morning, a self-proclaimed “authentic landscaper” named Patrick mentioned to me that he struggles to sleep at night. In the same breath he added that he had not been so tired in 36 years. He said it almost with pride.

I did not probe further, nor did I attempt to draw any conclusions about his health. But the exchange stayed with me. It reflects a wider attitude in our society where lack of sleep is worn as a badge of toughness, productivity, or resilience.

We rarely pause to consider what chronic sleep deprivation may be doing to the body or the mind. We push through fatigue, normalise exhaustion, and treat sleep as optional rather than essential. That mindset deserves closer attention.

A quiet but widespread issue

International studies suggest that snoring affects about two billion people worldwide, with 25 per cent of the global adult population classified as regular snorers, while another 45 per cent snore occasionally. One study showed that men (40 to 45 per cent) snored more frequently than women (24 to 25 per cent), which researchers linked mainly to sleep apnoea, a potentially life-threatening condition.

It shows that internationally, sleep disorders are increasingly recognised as a significant public health concern. Persistent and loud snoring, in particular, is often associated with disrupted sleep patterns and, in some cases, conditions such as obstructive sleep apnoea.

Research from institutions such as Harvard Medical School and the Mayo Clinic has linked untreated sleep apnoea to chronic fatigue, reduced concentration, mood changes, and increased risks of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Beyond long-term risks, poor sleep affects every day functioning including alertness, productivity, and safety.

In practical terms, a country where many people are not sleeping well is a country where people are operating below their best.

The personal and social impact

Snoring does not exist in isolation. It affects households, relationships, and workplaces. Many people quietly adjust their lives around poor sleep, sleeping in separate rooms, waking repeatedly during the night, or starting each day already exhausted. Over time, this takes a toll on patience, emotional balance, and quality of life.

What is striking is how rarely these experiences are discussed openly. Yet once the conversation begins, it becomes clear how common the problem really is.

Cost, access, and realistic starting points

It is also important to be honest. Machines, specialised testing, and medical interventions used to treat serious sleep disorders can be costly and are not always easily accessible. That reality cannot be ignored.

At the same time, not every case of snoring requires advanced equipment. Many people can begin with practical lifestyle changes — managing weight, reducing alcohol intake close to bedtime, adjusting sleeping position, addressing nasal congestion, and paying closer attention to overall sleep habits.

Awareness is the first step. Persistent snoring, especially when combined with daytime fatigue, headaches, or disrupted sleep, should not be dismissed.

Parents should also take note. Regular snoring in children may signal underlying issues that warrant evaluation.

A public health conversation we need

There is no formal government policy on snoring but it is treated as a recognised health condition that can be managed within the public and private medical system. Sleep is foundational to good health, yet it is often overlooked in public discussions about wellness. We speak more openly about diet, exercise, and mental health, all important, but sleep underpins them all.

As minister of health and wellness I believe we need to shift how we think and talk about sleep in Jamaica, not in a technical or alarmist way but in a practical, relatable way that helps people recognise when something they have accepted as normal may be affecting their quality of life.

Snoring is one of those signals.

Your health matters. Your ability to function well, to think clearly, and to live fully matters. If snoring is disrupting your sleep or leaving you constantly tired, it is worth paying attention to. Small changes can make a difference, and for some, seeking further advice can be life-changing.

Dr Chris Tufton, CD, MP, is Jamaica’s minister of health and wellness.
E-mail: cctufton@gmail.com