Health and economic burden of insomnia medications among older Americans: findings from the future elderly model

For centuries, insufficient and disturbed sleep have challenged humanity, and these problems are now recognized as a global public health concern.1 Herbal remedies for promoting sleep were followed by chloral hydrate—the first widely used sleeping pill—in the 19th century, paving the way for the introduction of benzodiazepines (BZDs) and later, non-benzodiazepine (non-BZD) hypnotics. Within the past two decades, use of these medications has rapidly increased, especially among older adults,2 who are particularly vulnerable to adverse outcomes, such as falls, cognitive impairment, and disability.