Organizations Promote Sleep Education

The annual National Sleep Awareness Weekcampaign will be held March 28 to April 3, 2005.The purpose of the public education campaign isto:

• Raise awareness of the importance of adequatesleep to health and safety
• Raise awareness of the signs and symptomsof sleep disorders
• Focus attention on sleep-related issues suchas drowsy driving and school start times

Conducted by the National Sleep Foundation(NSF) in partnership with other groups promotingsleep education, the campaign coincides with thebeginning of Daylight Saving Time. In conjunctionwith Sleep Awareness Week, the NSF and theAmerican Sleep Apnea Association (ASAA) havedevoted March 31, 2005, to "Sleep Apnea AwarenessDay"to raise awareness about thesymptoms of sleep apnea and the importanceof treatment.

"It is estimated that about 18 million peoplehave sleep apnea, but millions of these adultsand children have no idea that they have thisproblem. They suffer needlessly from a commonand potentially life-threatening medical disorder,which can be treated,"said Edward Grandi,ASAA's executive director. "That's why we feelthis new initiative with NSF during National SleepAwareness Week is so important."