With a significant portion of employees not getting more than six hours of sleep per night, they could be setting themselves up for major health issues, according to a report from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

More than 40 percent of those who work night shifts do not sleep enough, and 29 percent of day shift workers said the same, the report said, according to HealthDay. Of those who work in transportation and warehouses during the nighttime don't sleep well. Those who don't sleep well put themselves at a higher risk of stroke, heart attack and depression.

"Despite these consequences, many people still don't find the time for adequate sleep, with many having trouble with insomnia and not seeking proper help," said Shelby Freedman Harris, director of the Behavioral Sleep Medicine Program at Montefiore Medical Center, according to the news source.

Those who have trouble sleeping may want to consult a physician for solutions to the problem. If the person lacks a sufficient healthcare policy, it may help to look for one with affordable health insurance rates online.

While many Americans feel that the Medicare program may need to be reformed, a large portion of these people don't want to foot the bill, according to Harris Interactive and HealthDay.

More than 80 percent of consumers think that Medicare needs reforms in order for it to continue to be reasonable. Furthermore, 51 percent think that drastic changes are needed to the program. However, 53 percent don't want higher taxes and 60 percent are against direct contributions to lower costs.

"There's a clear majority who think there is a problem that needs to be addressed, but [people also believe] if the changes are going to cost me money in terms of higher co-pays, higher deductibles or higher taxes, no thank you," said Humphrey Taylor, chairman of The Harris Poll.

If a consumer feels they are financially-strapped due to excess Medicare payments or high taxes, it may benefit them to look for a private healthcare plan. There may be several affordable health insurance rates available, and all a person needs to do is compare health insurance quotes.

With close to one-third of American children dealing with weight problems, many parents are not prioritizing this issue, according to the YMCA of the USA.

The organization's Family Health Snapshot found that 21 percent of parents note their child's physical health as a top priority, which was low, but on par with the 20 percent who prioritized education. In addition, 40 percent of parents said they could encourage their children to take part in more physical activity.

"Summer weight gain and summer learning loss often go unnoticed, but they impact many of today's youth," said Dr. Matt Longjohn, senior director of chronic disease prevention for Y-USA. "Some studies have shown that children's BMI increases nearly twice as fast during the summer than during the school year."

Parents who are concerned about their children's weight issues may want to consult their family physician. If the person does not have a health insurance policy, it may benefit them to compare health insurance quotes online to find a plan that is right for everyone.

The Employee Benefits Research Institute recently noted in a report that a sizable portion of Americans have lost healthcare policies due to their companies no longer willing to pay some of the costs.

Approximately 72 percent of employers offered their workers some type of health insurance plan in 2002, according to the report. However, this declined to 67.5 percent in 2010.

"The majority of uninsured workers report that they are not covered by health benefits because their employers did not offer coverage," said Paul Fronstin, senior research associate with EBRI. "In 2010, 58.2 percent of uninsured workers reported that they worked for employers that did not offer health benefits to any employees This is up from 53.1 percent in 1997."

Consumers who have been shut out of the option to have some type of affordable plan from their employer may want to look for alternatives. By checking online to discover health insurance quotes within their budget, it may be possible for consumers to find quality coverage.

A large portion of elderly caregivers noted that their work has affected their health negatively, according to a report completed jointly by Harris Interactive and the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Close to 90 percent of those caregivers polled noted that they experienced a heightened amount of stress from doing the job. In addition, 72 percent said that the work has hurt their health, and 60 percent noted a lack of proper sleep because of it. More than 50 percent said that their job as a caregiver forced them to lose focus on their own health issues, as well as other family needs.

"This age of instant information is a boon and a challenge for caregivers," said Dr. Glen Stream, president of the AAFP. "Caregiving can be a challenge as new health issues develop and a loved one's needs change."

Those who are feeling the stress from providing care to a loved one may want to make sure their healthcare policy is as good as possible. By examining health insurance quotes, a person can compare different options and find a plan with affordable health insurance rates.