Emerging Issues

New research has begun to focus on the genetics of asthma. The Environmental Genome Project examines genetic susceptibility to asthma.¹⁶ It attempts to identify environmental disease susceptibility genes in the U.S. population, create a central database for these genes, and foster population-based studies of gene-environment interaction in the development of disease. By identifying the genes that affect individual response to environmental agents, scientists can better predict health risks and assist regulatory agencies in the development of environmental protection policies.

Sleep deprivation is another emerging issue related to respiration. More than 39 percent of adolescents and adults report 7 or fewer hours of sleep per night on a consistent basis.^{17, 18} Resulting excessive sleepiness has been shown to contribute to performance impairment, including, but not limited to, traffic crashes and fatalities associated with fatigue.

Obstructive sleep apnea, which impairs quality of sleep, affects 5 percent to 10 percent of adolescents and adults and is related to age, body mass index, and other risk factors. Over 50 percent of persons in need of treatment currently are not being diagnosed.^{19, 20} Untreated obstructive sleep apnea contributes to major public health burdens, including drowsy driving as well as increased risks for high blood pressure; cardiovascular disease; metabolic syndrome; and impaired learning, memory, mood, and behavior.^{21, 22} Emerging science that addresses an association between obstructive sleep apnea and multiple chronic health conditions should be considered as disease prevention and health promotion initiatives develop.

<< Previous—Opportunities and Challenges  |  Table of Contents |  Next—Progress Quotient Chart >>