[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 36 (Wednesday, March 13, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E290]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    CELEBRATING SLEEP AWARENESS WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL M. HONDA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 13, 2013

  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the millions of 
Americans affected by sleep disorders and insufficient sleep and in 
observance of National Sleep Awareness Week, which occurred last week 
from March 3rd through 10th.
   Sleep disorders affect every age group from infants to the elderly 
and are often an indicator of, or a precursor to other major diseases 
and disorders, in addition to being a public health and safety issue. 
According to the Institute of Medicine's report entitled ``Sleep 
Disorder and Sleep Deprivation: An Unmet Public Health Problem'' 
(2006), 50-70 million Americans chronically suffer from sleep or 
circadian disorders, while 15% of the population suffers from sleep-
disordered breathing, including obstructive sleep apnea. Chronic sleep 
disorders include insomnia, REM sleep behavior disorder, narcolepsy and 
other forms of hypersomnia, and circadian disruptions. These disorders 
negatively affect sleep duration, increasing risk of obesity, diabetes, 
hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke, depression, and substance 
abuse.
   Sleep disorders and sleep deprivation cost $150 billion annually in 
lost productivity and $48 billion in medical costs related to motor 
vehicle accidents involving drowsy drivers. Sleep apnea results in 
excessive daytime somnolence, poor performance, increased frequency of 
road traffic accidents, and arterial hypertension. Prior to diagnosis, 
patients with sleep apnea often incur higher costs in their overall 
health care. If left untreated, obstructive sleep apnea has significant 
negative impacts on health, including early mortality. Furthermore, as 
our troops return home from Afghanistan and Iraq, there will be great 
need for continuing research concerning the link between sleep apnea 
and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. A study including 725 active-duty 
members of the U.S. Armed Forces found that 85% of them had a sleep 
disorder. The most common was obstructive sleep apnea (51%), followed 
by insomnia (25%). Through increased federal commitment we can provide 
the best care to improve the health of those brave Americans who have 
served in uniform.
   New treatment options, enhanced patient care, and future cures will 
increase the quality of life and productivity of the workforce. 
Research funding can also spur local economies through discovery of new 
technologies that can lead to the creation of new jobs. Federal 
investment in sleep research at the National Institutes of Health 
National Center on Sleep Disorders Research, are vital to supporting 
discoveries in the area of sleep disorders and job creation.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting sustained 
and meaningful improvements in the health and healthcare of the 
millions of Americans whose health is compromised because of sleep 
disorders. By increasing awareness of the need for increased research 
funding, we will be able to continue to examine the links between sleep 
and health in an effort to improve the health of the population and 
lower overall healthcare costs.

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