New report provides agenda for research on sleep, circadian rhythms and aging
Now available in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society is a report from the bedside-to-bench research conference, “Sleep, Circadian Rhythms, and Aging: New Avenues for Improving Brain Health, Physical Health and Functioning.”
Analysis of Trump’s nomination of Dr. Thomas Price for HHS secretary
On Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016, President-elect Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate Thomas E. Price, MD, an orthopedic surgeon who has served in the U.S. House of Representatives for the last 12 years, to become the next secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). Upon his expected confirmation in the first quarter of the New Year, Dr. Price will be the first medical doctor to become the secretary of Health and Human Services in 24 years.
Fatigue and sleep apnea played a role in fatal train collision in Arkansas in 2014
Fatigue and inadequately treated obstructive sleep apnea contributed to an Aug. 17, 2014, collision between two Union Pacific Railroad freight trains in Hoxie, Arkansas, according to a summary of a public meeting of the National Transportation Safety Board on Dec. 6, 2016.
AAA study links sleep loss to increased motor vehicle crash risk
A new study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found significantly elevated crash rates among drivers who usually sleep for less than 5 hours daily, drivers who have slept for less than 7 hours in the past 24 hours, and drivers who have slept for 1 or more hours less than their usual amount of sleep in the past 24 hours.
Update on Oklahoma sleep study hearing
In October, Rep. Lewis Moore (R-OK), who serves on the Oklahoma State Legislature’s Public Health Committee, requested an informal hearing to discuss a study proposal addressing the cost of sleep studies and their impact on state health care expenditures. The hearing was conducted on Oct. 27.
SLEEP 2017 session proposal deadline extended to Wednesday, Dec. 7
The APSS Program Committee is soliciting proposals for sessions at SLEEP 2017 including postgraduate courses, bench to bedside sessions, clinical workshops, discussion groups, symposia, and rapid-fire symposia.
Long sleep duration may affect osteoporosis risk
A recent study in the November 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine suggests long sleep intervals in older people may increase osteoporosis (OS) risk.
Verify your registration dates for 2017 sleep medicine initial certification and MOC exams
The initial certification examination in sleep medicine and the maintenance of certification (MOC) exam in sleep medicine will be offered on Nov. 20, 2017, by six member boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).
How a Trump presidency may impact health care reform
As the Trump Administration settles into office, major health care efforts to reform the healthcare system and potentially repeal sections of the Affordable Care Act will be brought before Congress.
Results of state health care ballot measures
Prior to the November election, the AASM reported on several health care measures on state ballots which could affect your practice.
Insufficient sleep causes annual economic loss of up to $411B in U.S.
A new analysis by RAND Europe estimates that the U.S. loses an equivalent of about 1.23 million working days on an annual basis due to insufficient sleep.
Patients undergoing MSLT should have urine drug testing
A new study in the December 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine suggests drugs and substances are frequently found among patients being evaluated for hypersomnia and if undetected, may confound the MSLT results and the physician’s diagnosis.
Objective measures of sleep are an important consideration in patients with insomnia
Patients with insomnia, regardless of OSA status, have lower sleep perception and showed smaller discrepancy between objective sleep time and habitual sleep duration compared to patients with OSA or good sleepers, suggests a new study in the November 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.
Study suggests that parental health behaviors may influence children’s sleep
A new study indicates that children's sleep duration may be influenced by parental sleep duration and confidence, which suggests that efforts to address insufficient sleep among children may require family-based interventions.
Federal Railroad Administration, New Jersey Transit target sleep apnea after fatal crash
The New Jersey Transit recently issued a policy change addressing engineers who suffer from sleep apnea, the Associated Press reported on Nov. 21. The policy change was disclosed as the Federal Railroad Administration prepares a safety advisory that will urge all railroads to screen for sleep apnea.
AASM meets with Rep. Peter Roskam and Rep. Jason Chaffetz
On Friday, Oct. 21, AASM Director of Health Policy Jay French met with Rep. Peter Roskam (R-Illinois) and Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) to discuss sleep-related medical issues and concerns.
Article describes methods behind AASM pediatric sleep duration recommendations
A special article in the November issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine describes the methodology used by the AASM to develop the recently published consensus recommendations for the amount of sleep needed to promote optimal health in children and adolescents
Parent sleep behaviors may have a significant impact on a child’s sleep duration
A new study in the November 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine reports a significant association between parent and child sleep duration
Join me by renewing your AASM membership today
I have been a member of the AASM since I first entered the field as a sleep fellow who was embarking on a new professional journey. Over the years, I have grown to appreciate the many ways in which the AASM has had a positive impact on my career.
Undiagnosed sleep apnea suspected in New Jersey train crash
Multiple news outlets are reporting today that undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea may have played a role in the commuter train crash that occurred on Sept. 29, 2016, in Hoboken, N.J.
New NTSB Most Wanted List targets fatigue-related accidents
On Monday at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released the 2017 – 2018 edition of its Most Wanted List, which includes “reduce fatigue-related accidents” as one of the top 10 priorities for safety improvements.
Free Inter-scorer Reliability demo is Tuesday, Nov. 15
Join staff experts for a live demo of the AASM Inter-scorer Reliability sleep study scoring assessment system on Tuesday, Nov. 15, at 2 p.m. Eastern.
AASM president-elect explains why young physicians should “Choose Sleep”
In a special Life & Career Q&A for AMA Wire, AASM President-Elect Dr. Ilene Rosen describes for young physicians both the realities and the unique benefits of specializing in sleep medicine.
New download: Free handbook for optimizing EHR use in sleep medicine
AASM members can now download a free copy of the new resource, "A Handbook for Optimizing EHR Use in Sleep Medicine."
Rotigotine may be an effective treatment for REM Sleep Behavior Disorder in Parkinson Disease
Rotigotine may improve the frequency and severity of abnormal motor behaviors, and improve the quality of sleep, in patients with REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) and Parkinson Disease (PD), states a new study in the October 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.