National Sleep Foundation

National Sleep Foundation. The National Sleep Foundation is a United States-based organization that aims to improve public health by promoting sleep awareness and education, as supported by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Academy of Sleep Medicine, and National Institutes of Health. The foundation works closely with Harvard University, Stanford University, and University of California, Los Angeles to advance sleep research and promote sleep health. It also collaborates with World Health Organization, European Sleep Research Society, and American Academy of Neurology to address sleep-related issues globally.

● History

The National Sleep Foundation was established in 1990 by a group of sleep researchers and healthcare professionals, including William C. Dement, Christian Guilleminault, and Allan Rechtschaffen, who were affiliated with Stanford University School of Medicine and University of Chicago. The foundation's early work was influenced by the National Commission on Sleep Disorders Research, which was established by the United States Congress in 1988. The foundation has since worked with National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institute of Mental Health, and National Institute on Aging to promote sleep research and education. Notable sleep researchers, such as J. Allan Hobson, Robert McCarley, and Mary A. Carskadon, have contributed to the foundation's mission, along with American Psychological Association, American Medical Association, and Society for Research on Biological Rhythms.

● Mission_and_Objectives

The National Sleep Foundation's mission is to improve public health and quality of life through sleep education and research, as outlined by Institute of Medicine and National Academy of Sciences. The foundation's objectives include promoting sleep awareness, supporting sleep research, and advocating for sleep-friendly policies, in collaboration with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, and European Sleep Research Society. The foundation works with American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Physicians, and Society for Research on Biological Rhythms to develop and disseminate sleep guidelines and recommendations. It also partners with National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, and Environmental Protection Agency to address sleep-related issues in various settings.

● Sleep_Guidelines_and_Recommendations

The National Sleep Foundation has developed sleep guidelines and recommendations for infants, children, adolescents, adults, and older adults, based on research from University of California, Berkeley, University of Michigan, and Duke University. These guidelines, which are endorsed by American Academy of Sleep Medicine, American Academy of Pediatrics, and Society for Research on Biological Rhythms, provide recommendations for sleep duration, sleep quality, and sleep environment, as well as sleep disorders such as insomnia, sleep apnea, and restless leg syndrome. The foundation has also collaborated with National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to develop guidelines for sleep and mental health, as well as sleep and substance abuse.

● Research_and_Education

The National Sleep Foundation supports sleep research through grants and awards, such as the National Sleep Foundation Pickwick Club, which is named after Charles Dickens's Pickwick Papers. The foundation also provides sleep education resources for healthcare professionals, educators, and the general public, in partnership with Harvard University, Stanford University, and University of California, Los Angeles. The foundation's research and education initiatives are guided by a scientific advisory board that includes experts from University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The foundation has also collaborated with National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, and Environmental Protection Agency to study the effects of environmental factors on sleep.

● Public_Awareness_and_Advocacy

The National Sleep Foundation promotes public awareness of sleep issues through media campaigns, public events, and partnerships with organizations such as American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. The foundation also advocates for sleep-friendly policies and legislation, such as the Sleep Health Awareness Resolution introduced in the United States Congress in 2019. The foundation has worked with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, and European Sleep Research Society to promote sleep awareness globally, and has partnered with American Academy of Sleep Medicine, American Academy of Pediatrics, and Society for Research on Biological Rhythms to develop and disseminate sleep guidelines and recommendations.

● Programs_and_Initiatives

The National Sleep Foundation offers a range of programs and initiatives to promote sleep health, including the National Sleep Foundation Sleep Awareness Week, which is celebrated annually in March. The foundation also provides sleep education resources for schools and communities, in partnership with National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institute of Mental Health, and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The foundation's Drowsy Driving Prevention Program aims to reduce drowsy driving crashes, which are a major public health concern, as highlighted by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The foundation has also collaborated with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Federal Aviation Administration, and National Transportation Safety Board to address sleep-related issues in transportation.

Category:Sleep