Oral

Despite increasing evidence that sleep disturbance is a risk factor for depression, cardiovascular disease, accidents/injuries, and other medical problems, sleep has been largely ignored by the public health community. Increased public health research interest is critical to the development of evidence-based programs and policies that address sleep-related health risks. The purpose of this symposium is to summarize the epidemiology of sleep disturbances and disorders, and the role of sleep as a medical and psychiatric risk factor. Sleep will be examined from a public health perspective to better understand how sleep compares to other health risk factors that typically receive more attention from the public health community. The policy implications of this public health perspective on sleep also will be discussed, including the need for greater monitoring and surveillance of sleep in national health surveys, initiation and evaluation of health promotion programs to encourage adequate sleep, improved methods of early detection of sleep problems among public health professionals, and modifications to occupational, transportation, and other governmental regulations to reduce sleep-related health risks.

Session Objectives: 1. Describe the prevalence of sleep disturbances and disorders. 2. Identify the most common health consequences associated with sleep disturbances. 3. Recognize the impact of untreated sleep disturbances on physical and mental health. 4. Discuss the policy implications of a public health perspective on sleep.

CE Credits: CME, Health Education (CHES), Nursing