I don't disbelieve the need for sleeping in the dark, but what is the solution to the need for night shift workers?  I am a volunteer EMT with my fire department, and I need to help people on some nights, and am awakened from my sleep.  I know that hospitals need night workers.  What do you think?

I did not renew a 3 year contract job in the entertainment industry partially because of the night hours.  I was living in the sunny desert Southwest and minimally saw the sun.  Las Vegas is not exactly known for supporting health, but I did everything I knew to support mine.  I've got a good name on my resume, and I think I got out soon enough to save my health.

It's not natural to stay awake all night.Our bodies were created to rest at night and work (or whatever) during the day. I believe any major deviation from this upsets the natural order of things.

While I was working in a hospital lab we had one young woman who did a permanently did the grave yard shift four nights per week. We often commented on how she never looked healthy and had frequent sick days.

They are many things that contribute to the ill health of night shift workers.  I would say that the disruption of the circadian rhythm is only one thing.  Improper diet ,and lack of social contact, and lack of adequate sleep would be a few of the contributing factors.

Mary