Severe obstructive sleep apnea hurts hearts
Untreated, severe obstructive sleep apnea more than doubles your risk of dying from heart disease, the National Healthy Sleep Awareness Project warns in conjunction with American Heart Month in February.
Dr. David Shulkin nominated for VA secretary
On Jan. 11, 2017, then President-elect Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate President Obama’s current Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Health, David J. Shulkin, MD, to become the next Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA). Dr. Shulkin will lead the government’s second-largest agency with nearly 370,000 employees and an annual budget of more than $166 billion.
AASM updates Standards for Accreditation to clarify diagnosis review requirement
The AASM has made a minor update to the Standards for Accreditation to clarify that only diagnoses based upon the interpretation of a sleep study must be reviewed by an individual who is board-certified in sleep medicine (Standard F-8 of the Standards for Accreditation and Standard F-2 of the Independent Sleep Practice Standards for Accreditation).
Join me at Trends 2017 to discuss the future of sleep medicine
In less than three weeks, hundreds of sleep medicine clinicians from across the country will gather at Sleep Medicine Trends 2017 to discuss the latest advances in our field and consider future opportunities for growth. There is still time for you to register and join us for this premier event, which will be held at the Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort in Phoenix, Arizona.
Study suggests yoga and exercise fail to improve sleep in midlife women
A new study in the January issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine indicates that yoga and aerobic exercise interventions did not significantly reduce objectively measured sleep disturbances among midlife women who were experiencing hot flashes.
Research institute releases free, open-access circadian stimulus calculator
The Lighting Research Center (LRC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute recently released a free, open-access circadian stimulus calculator to help lighting professionals select light sources and light levels that will increase the potential for circadian-effective light exposure in architectural spaces.
FAA issues advisory on fatigue among aviation maintenance personnel
The Federal Aviation Administration recently issued an advisory circular addressing fatigue risk management for the aviation maintenance industry, noting that these personnel tend to get 3 hours less sleep per night than is recommended.
New report by the National Academies examines effects of cannabis on sleep
A new review of the scientific literature by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine describes the Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids, including its effects on sleep and potential therapeutic benefits for sleep disorders.
USPSTF finds evidence is insufficient to assess sleep apnea screening in adults
The current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in asymptomatic adults, according to a new U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement, which is published in the current issue of JAMA.
AASM response to “Screening for Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Adults: Evidence Report and Systematic Review for the US Preventive Services Task Force”
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a highly prevalent disease that remains underdiagnosed and undertreated.
Study suggests that yoga and exercise fail to improve sleep in midlife women
A new study indicates that yoga and aerobic exercise interventions did not significantly reduce objectively measured sleep disturbances among midlife women who were experiencing hot flashes.
Registration is now open for SLEEP 2017 in Boston
Registration is now open for SLEEP 2017, the 31st Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS), which will be held June 3 - 7 in Boston.
New Accreditation Reference Manual available in online store
The revised and updated Accreditation Reference Manual is the essential reference guide to help you develop a policy and procedures manual that conforms to the requirements of the updated 2016 AASM Standards for Accreditation.
Study suggests CPAP may improve PTSD symptoms
A new study in the January 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine suggests that CPAP appears to improve a variety of symptoms related to PTSD, with the greatest improvement in those with better CPAP compliance.
Watch the AASM’s recent MACRA webinar to learn more about the quality payment program
Learn more about the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) by watching a recording of the AASM’s recent MACRA webinar.
Special article by AASM leaders describes initiatives to strengthen the sleep field
The January issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine includes a special article by AASM Past President Dr. Nathaniel Watson, President-Elect Dr. Ilene Rosen and President Dr. Ronald Chervin describing how the AASM board of directors has developed a comprehensive plan to strengthen the field of sleep medicine.
Sleep is the focus of two of the CDC’s top reports from 2016
After analyzing the impact of its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) articles throughout traditional and social media, the CDC included two sleep-related articles in its 10 Most Talked About MMWR Reports of 2016.
Profiles of the Democratic House leaders who will be central to the health care reform debate
The AASM profiles the three most prominent Democrats in the House, explaining how they may react to any attempts to repeal Obamacare in the 115th Congress.
Senators urge NTSB to review railroad implementation of sleep apnea testing
In a letter sent last week to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) chairman, Senator Chuck Schumer of New York and four other Senate colleagues urged the NTSB to conduct a comprehensive safety review of how passenger railroads are implementing sleep apnea testing to promote railway safety.
New study suggests enrollment criteria for RLS patients
A new study in the December 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine suggests neither the depth nor the distribution of RLS sensory discomfort can be used to discriminate between idiopathic RLS and RLS associated with other causes of leg discomfort.
Resolution supporting soldiers with sleep apnea and PTSD introduced in U.S. House
A U.S. House of Representatives resolution (H. Res. 46) drafted by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) to express support for soldiers and veterans with obstructive sleep apnea and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was introduced today in the 115th Congress. The resolution’s lead sponsor was Republican Rep. Sam Graves of Missouri, and it was co-sponsored by Democratic Rep. Tim Walz of Minnesota.
Report sponsored by AARP addresses sleep and brain health in older adults
The Global Council on Brain Health (GCBH), which is convened by AARP, has released the consensus document, The Brain-Sleep Connection: GCBH Recommendations on Sleep and Brain Health. AASM members who contributed sleep expertise for the report’s development were Sonia Ancoli-Israel, PhD; Donald Bliwise, PhD; Charles Czeisler, MD, PhD; and Phyllis Zee, MD, PhD.
AASM PAC Update: Health care advocacy in 2017
When the new president and his administration settle into Washington later this month, the medical community can expect to encounter some uncertainty as congressional leaders begin to consider Donald Trump’s promise to repeal Obamacare and conduct a thorough reexamination of funding methods for Medicare and Medicaid.
Register for Sleep Medicine Trends 2017 by Jan. 13 to save $100
Make plans now to join the AASM for a warm, winter escape at Sleep Medicine Trends 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. Join 400 sleep medicine professionals at the Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort from Feb. 17-19.
Study recommends changing sleep questions for the CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
A new study in the Dec. 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine resulted in recommendations for changing the current CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) sleep questions.