ASMF Award recipients announced
The ASMF is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2013 Bridge to K and 2013 Physician Scientist Training Awards. The Bridge to K provides 'bridge funding' to promising sleep scientists who have applied for a K grant from NIH and need additional time and resources to obtain K grants. The Physician Scientist Training Award supports research training for physicians who wish to pursue careers as physician scientists in sleep medicine.
AASM congratulates the 2013 Young Investigator Award recipient
Each year the AASM recognizes the outstanding efforts of a young investigator in the field of sleep research with the Young Investigator Award. The AASM congratulates the recipient of the 2013 AASM Young Investigator Award: Camilla M. Hoyos, PhD, MPH, Woolcock Institute of Medical Research in Sydney, Australia, for the abstract, “Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) improves Hyposomatotropism in Men with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): a randomized sham-controlled 12 week study.”
Congratulations to the recipients of the 2013 AASM Awards
Each year the AASM Awards recognize several leaders in sleep medicine who have made significant contributions to both the AASM and the sleep field.
More sleep may decrease the risk of suicide in people with insomnia
A new study found a relationship between sleep duration and suicidal thoughts in people with insomnia.
NIH announces funding opportunity for obesity research
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has issued a funding opportunity announcement (PA-12-179) for Exploratory/Developmental Clinical Research Grants in Obesity (R21).
Aetna lowers first-year estimates for exchange enrollment
Aetna CEO Mark Bertolini stated that the company has reduced its first-year estimates for how many individuals it expects to enroll in health insurance exchanges. Mr. Bertolini said, "The process required to sign up, to get the subsidies, is going to take some time." He added, "I think this is a two-year ramp to get the individual exchanges up to a level where customers are going to feel appropriate signing up."
Affordable Care Act update on coverage, employers & insurers
Health experts say the amount of money that states spend on consumer assistance during the first year of the ACA's insurance exchanges could have a "major impact" on the number of residents who obtain health coverage.
IRS proposed rule outlines tax credits, coverage requirements for employers
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) unveiled draft rules outlining the subsidies that will help residents purchase health coverage through the health insurance exchanges created by the Affordable Care Act. Individuals could receive tax credits if they are not eligible for "affordable coverage" through an employer-sponsored plan that covers less than 60% of the costs.
HHS publicizes data on hospital charges
On May 8, the department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced an unprecedented initiative to provide consumers with nationwide data on what hospitals charge. HHS explained that by providing this data it hopes that “business and consumers alike can use these data to drive decision-making and reward cost-effective provision of care. In addition to making the data available, HHS is also planning to fund data centers to review and publicize reimbursement data in the future.
New items added to the AASM Closeout Sale
New online learning modules have been added to the AASM Closeout Sale on the Online Store. Shop these amazing deals on great products while they last! These learning modules are only $15 and come with 1-year access. Hurry! These online learning modules will be available for purchase only until the end of May. Visit the AASM Closeout Sale today!
2013 Board Review Course and prep materials
On October 16, 2013, the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABIM) will administer the sleep medicine certification examination, will you be prepared? As the leader in sleep medicine education, the AASM has the essential Sleep Medicine Board Review materials and courses to prepare you for success! Registration is open for the Sleep Medicine Board Review Course on August 1-4, 2013 in Denver, CO and the Sleep Medicine Exam Cram Courses on September 28 and September 29 in Darien, IL.
SLEEP 2013 pre-registration ending soon; purchase your welcome reception tickets
May 20, 2013 is the last day for you to pre-register for SLEEP 2013. Individuals wanting to register after this date must register on site, will not have access to download postgraduate course books, may experience long lines and will pay a registration fee that is $25 more than the pre-registration rate.
Study links diet with daytime sleepiness and alertness in healthy adults
A new study suggests that your level of sleepiness or alertness during the day may be related to the type of food that you eat.
Study shows that bedtime regularity predicts CPAP compliance
A new study suggests that regularity of bedtime prior to initiation of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is an important factor that may influence treatment compliance in adults with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
The AASM invites all members to the AASM Political Action Committee (AASM PAC) Breakfast at SLEEP 2013
This informative and educational meeting is a great opportunity to learn about how the AASM PAC is an essential part of our advocacy efforts. As our members know, health care is at a critical juncture as medicine is shifting towards outcomes based medicine and 32 million people will enter the system because of the Affordable Care Act.
Short sleep duration and sleep apnea linked to increased abdominal fat
A new study reports that a habitual short sleep duration of less than five hours and obstructive sleep apnea are independently associated with abdominal visceral fat in Korean adults.
Study links obstructive sleep apnea to brain white matter change
People with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea are two times more likely to have brain white matter change even after adjustment for hypertension, reports a study in the May issue of SLEEP.
Long sleep duration is associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer
A study in the May issue of Sleep is the first to report a significant positive association between long sleep duration and the development of colorectal cancer, especially among individuals who are overweight or snore regularly.
Report finds increase in emergency department visits related to zolpidem
A report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) indicates that the number of emergency department visits involving adverse reactions to the sleep medication zolpidem rose nearly 220 percent from 2005 to 2010.
Report finds that the government could save federal dollars by using integrated care
A report from the Brookings Institution found that the federal government could save $300 billion over a decade and as much as $1 trillion over two decades by further using integrated care models and shifting away from fee-for-service payment systems.
Implementation and promotion of Affordable Care Act still faces significant challenges
The New York Times reports that the Obama administration still faces significant challenges implementing and promoting the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Another challenge involves businesses who may delay hiring or shift some of their full-time employees to part-time jobs to avoid the requirement that businesses with 50 or more full-time workers offer affordable coverage or pay a penalty.
ISR to switch to AASM Scoring Manual v2.0 (2012) in June
In October 2012, the AASM published its first major update to the AASM Manual for the Scoring of Sleep and Associated Events: Rules Terminology and Technical Specifications.
2013 Board Review Course and prep materials
On October 16, 2013, the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABIM) will administer the sleep medicine certification examination, will you be prepared?
SLEEP 2013: Many ticketed sessions sold-out; Pre-registration ending soon
Don't miss your opportunity to attend add-on sessions like Postgraduate Courses and Lunch Debates. The Meet the Professor Sessions are nearly sold-out.
Sleep duration associated with higher colorectal cancer risk
A new study is the first to report a significant positive association between long sleep duration and the development of colorectal cancer, especially among individuals who are overweight or snore regularly. The results raise the possibility that obstructive sleep apnea may contribute to cancer risk.