Healthy from the Start: Co-Designing Sleep Health Resources for Young Shiftworkers

2023 Community Sleep Health and Public Awareness Grant

SALLY FERGUSON, PHD & GRACE VINCENT, PHD
CENTRAL QUEENSLAND UNIVERSITY

Key Project Outcomes

The Healthy from the Start project addressed major gap in workplace health: how to support young adults starting shiftwork. These workers often face disrupted sleep, limited access to healthy food, and limited time or energy for physical activity. We worked directly with young shiftworkers to co-design practical, science-backed tools that actually fit into their lives.

The result is www.healthyshiftwork.com.au (also accessible via www.healthyshiftwork.com), a free, evidence-based online hub for shiftworkers and their employers. It offers clear, accurate, and relatable resources to support better sleep, nutrition, and physical activity. The platform also provides tailored guidance for workplaces looking to support he health of their shiftworking staff. Everything on the site is grounded in research and co-designed with real shiftworkers to ensure it’s practical and relevant.

The project also delivered a replicable co-design framework and generated new insights into the health challenges young shiftworkers face. These findings have been shared through peer-reviewed publications, national conferences, and industry engagement, ensuring the impact extends well beyond the project itself.