Sleep Disorders and Sleep Deprivation: An Unmet Public

Sleep Disorders and Sleep Deprivation: An Unmet Public Health Problem
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11617.html
INTRODUCTION 29
SCOPE AND ORGANIZATION OF THIS REPORT
Increased public education and greater awareness of the burden of sleep
loss and sleep disorders as well as scientific advances have poised the field
of somnology and sleep medicine for great strides. In 2003 the NCSDR
published a set of research priorities for the field. However, advances will
require an organized strategy to increase and coordinate efforts in training
and educating the public, researchers, and clinicians, as well as improved
infrastructure and funding for this endeavor.
Recognizing the need to develop a new coordinated strategy to improve
public awareness and strengthen the field of Somnology and Sleep Medicine,
the NCSDR at the NIH, along with the American Academy of Sleep
Medicine, the National Sleep Foundation, and the Sleep Research Society,
requested that the Institute of Medicine (IOM) conduct a study that would
examine: (1) the public health significance of sleep, sleep loss, and sleep
disorders, (2) gaps in the public health system and adequacy of the current
resources and infrastructures for addressing the gaps, (3) barriers and opportunities
for improving interdisciplinary research and medical education and
training in the area of sleep and sleep medicine, and (4) develop a comprehensive
plan for enhancing sleep medicine and sleep research (Box 1-2).
The IOM appointed a 14-member committee with expertise in academic
and medical administration, adolescent medicine, cardiology, epidemiology,
geriatrics, health sciences research, neurology, nursing, otolaryngology,
pediatrics, psychiatry, and pulmonology. The committee met five
times during the course of its work and held two workshops that provided
input on the current public health burden of sleep loss and chronic sleep
disorders and the organization and operation of various types of academic
sleep programs.
Chapter 2 of this report describes the basic biology and physiology of
sleep and circadian rhythms. Chapter 3 introduces the primary sleep disorders
and their associated health burdens, and Chapter 4 describes their impact
on an individual’s performance and associated economic impact. Chapter
5 provides an overview of the barriers to providing optimal patient care,
including the lack of public and professional education. Chapter 6 highlights
the need for greater capacity to diagnose and treat individuals with
sleep loss and sleep disorders. In Chapter 7, the committee examines the
education and training programs for students, scientists, and health care
professionals. Chapter 8 discusses the current investment by the NIH and
the NCSDR and the potential role of a national somnology and sleep medicine
research network for advancing therapeutic interventions for sleep loss
and sleep disorders. Chapter 9 highlights the infrastructure of the field and
proposes recommendations for developing academic programs in somnology
and sleep medicine.
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