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Sleep and Sleep Disorders: A Public Health
Challenge
Welcome
While we often consider sleep to be a “passive” activity, sufficient
sleep is increasingly being recognized as an essential aspect of health
promotion and chronic disease prevention in the public health community.
Insufficient sleep is
associated with a number of chronic diseases and conditions—such as
diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and depression—which threaten
our nation’s health. Notably, insufficient sleep is associated with the
onset of these diseases and also poses important implications for their
management and outcome. Moreover, insufficient sleep is responsible for
motor vehicle and machinery-related accidents, causing substantial injury
and disability each year. In short, drowsy driving can be as dangerous—and
preventable—as driving while intoxicated.
Notably, more than one-quarter of the U.S. population report occasionally not
getting enough sleep, while nearly 10% experience chronic insomnia.
However, new methods for assessing and treating sleep disorders bring
hope to the millions suffering from insufficient sleep. Fundamental to the
success of all of these efforts is the recognition that sufficient sleep is
not a luxury—it is a necessity—and should be thought of as a “vital sign”
of good health.
References
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Reite M, Ruddy J, Nagel K. Concise guide to evaluation and management
of sleep disorders (3rd ed). American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc., 2002
* Links to non-Federal
organizations are provided solely as a service to our users. Links do not
constitute an endorsement of any organization by CDC or the Federal
Government, and none should be inferred. The CDC is not responsible for
the content of the individual organization Web pages found at this link.
Page last reviewed: September 10, 2007
Page last modified: July 18, 2008
Content source: Division of Adult
and Community Health, National
Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion |
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