World Health Organization Working Group Declares Shiftwork a Probable Carcinogen
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) released a monograph declaring that shiftwork that involves circadian disruption is "probably carcinogenic to humans."
- To read the full monograph, click here.
- To read about the IARC, click here.
National Institutes of Health - Information on Sleep and Aging
http://nihseniorhealth.gov/sleepandaging/toc.html
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health - Online Library for Preventing Work Traffic Injuries
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/updates/upd-06-04-08.html
The site includes a variety of resources on drowsy driving.
World Health Organization Report – Global Surveillance, Prevention and Control of Chronic Respiratory Diseases: A Comprehensive Approach
http://www.who.int/gard/publications/GARD%20Book%202007.pdf
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects more than 100 million people worldwide, according to this new report by the World Health Organization (WHO). The report also finds that OSA patients rely on healthcare services at twice the rate of people without OSA, that the average annual health-related expenditure for OSA patients is $2,720 and that continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) can reduce healthcare costs for OSA patients.
NHLBI Strategic Plan
http://apps.nhlbi.nih.gov/strategicplan/
The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute’s strategic plan is meant to guide the scientific direction of research within the Institute over the next five to ten years. The National Center for Sleep Disorders Research is housed within NHLBI. The document describes the various ways in which sleep will be integrated into the research agenda of the Institute.
The major structure of the strategic plan is “around three goals that reflect the successive movement of scientific discovery -- from “form to function” (Goal 1), “function to causes” (Goal 2), and “causes to cures” (Goal 3) – and inform and complement each other,” according to NHLBI Director Elizabeth Nabel, M.D. “This crosscutting, versus disease specific, approach enables us to better determine where the NHLBI is well positioned to make major contributions through investigator-initiated research and through programs that enable and complement investigator-initiated activities.”
National Centers on Sleep Disorders Research’s Guide to Selected Publicly Available Sleep-Related Data Resources – July 2006
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/about/ncsdr/research/sleep-datasets-july-06.pdf
(Note: You will need Adobe Acrobat to download this report).
This document summarizes publicly available data resources for sleep-related variables. The majority of the data sources are large, usually random sample surveys conducted by Government agencies. Among these, most are health-related surveys, allowing for analyses of sleep-related variables in relationship to health behavior, health risk factors, and, in some cases, nutrition and certain comorbidities. The resources were obtained through extensive searches of the Internet and medical literature. The document summarizes each data source in terms of type of sleep variables, possible covariates, and data access. It also synopsizes and presents a brief background statement about each survey, as well as specific sleep-related questions. It does not provide data or survey results or analyses.
Institute of Medicine’s Report, Sleep Disorders and Sleep Deprivation: An Unmet Public Health Problem
http://www.iom.edu/CMS/3740/23160/33668.aspx
This independent report describes in compelling detail the public health impact of sleep and sleep disorders. It is estimated that 50 to 70 million Americans chronically suffer from a disorder of sleep and wakefulness, hindering daily functioning and adversely affecting health and longevity. The cumulative long-term effects of sleep loss and sleep disorders have been associated with a wide range of deleterious health consequences including an increased risk of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, depression, heart attack, and stroke. Hundreds of billions of dollars a year are spent on direct medical costs associated with doctor visits, hospital services, prescriptions, and over-the-counter medications. Almost 20 percent of all serious car crash injuries in the general population are associated with driver sleepiness, independent of alcohol effects. The report points out that “awareness among the general public and health care professionals is low given the magnitude of the burden” and makes specific recommendations on how to increase awareness and research, improve medical training, and collect public surveillance data on sleep habits and disorders.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institutes’ In Brief: Your Guide to Healthy Sleep
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/sleep/healthy_sleep.htm
This patient and public booklet provides the latest science-based information about Sleep. Learn about...
This booklet also gives information on sleep disorders, such as insomnia, sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, narcolepsy, and some parasomnias.
Sleep, Sleep Disorders, and Biological Rhythms
NIH High School Biology Supplement for Grades 9-12
http://science.education.nih.gov/supplements/nih3/sleep/default.htm
Sleep, Sleep Disorders, and Biological Rhythms—developed with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)—is a creative, inquiry-based instruction program designed to promote active learning and stimulate student interest in medical topics. This curriculum supplement aims to help students develop the following major goals associated with scientific literacy:
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to experience the process of scientific inquiry and develop an enhanced understanding of the nature and methods of science; and
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to appreciate the role of science in society and the relationship between basic science and human health.
2003 National Sleep Disorders Research Plan
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/sleep/sleep_rplan.htm
This special report summarizes the new knowledge acquired in the area of sleep disorder research since 1996, and provides an updated and expanded guide for scientific research on sleep and its disorders. Features sections on basic sleep science, neurobehavioral and physiological effects of restricted sleep, enabling technology, sleep and health, sleep disorders, pediatrics, education and training.
Conference Summary from Frontiers of Knowledge in Sleep & Sleep Disorders: Opportunities for Improving Health and Quality of Life
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/meetings/slp_front.htm
The National Sleep Conference held March 29-30, 2004 on the NIH Campus in Bethesda Maryland brought together health care providers, public health and education experts, policy makers, patient advocacy organizations, sleep medicine specialists, and other stakeholders.
At the close of the conference, there was general agreement that several ideas on how to improve public health had come out of this conference and that it was important to find strategies to highlight and move forward with those ideas. It was also important that there be timely and broad participation in specific follow-up activities based on the final recommendations for public health initiatives.
Text of Remarks of VADM Richard H. Carmona, MD, MPH, FACS United States Surgeon General from the National Sleep Conference on March 29, 2004
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/meetings/slp_carmona.pdf
The former Surgeon General made a compelling case as to why the public health model is well suited to translate sleep messages to society to improve the health and safety of our nation. He noted that improving health literacy regarding sleep disorders for health professionals and patients is long overdue.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Wake Up and Get Some Sleep Campaign Materials for Shift Workers
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/drowsy_driving1/human/drows_driving/index.html
This comprehensive program is specifically designed for businesses and organizations like yours that employ workers beyond the typical "9 to 5" workday. Program materials include a Better Sleep Video, Workplace Posters, Shift Worker Brochure, Tip Card, Employer Administrator's Guide with PowerPoint Training Sessions, and a Brochure for Shift Work Families. The program will not only help you reduce on-the-job risks, but improve the productivity and quality of life of your employees as well.
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