Sleep is essential to health: an American Academy of Sleep Medicine position statement

TLDR

Sleep is a biological necessity, and insufficient sleep or untreated sleep disorders harm health, well‑being, and public safety, underscoring a need for greater emphasis on sleep health across education, clinical practice, and public health. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine asserts that sleep is essential to health and supports Healthy People 2030 objectives to improve health, productivity, well‑being, quality of life, and safety by ensuring adequate sleep. Published in J Clin Sleep Med.

Abstract

Sleep is a biological necessity, and insufficient sleep and untreated sleep disorders are detrimental for health, well-being, and public safety. Healthy People 2030 includes several sleep-related objectives with the goal to improve health, productivity, well-being, quality of life, and safety by helping people get enough sleep. In addition to adequate sleep duration, healthy sleep requires good quality, appropriate timing, regularity, and the absence of sleep disorders. It is the position of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) that sleep is essential to health. There is a significant need for greater emphasis on sleep health in education, clinical practice, inpatient and long-term care, public health promotion, and the workplace. More sleep and circadian research is needed to further elucidate the importance of sleep for public health and the contributions of insufficient sleep to health disparities.Ramar K, Malhotra RK, Carden KA, et al. Sleep is essential to health: an American Academy of Sleep Medicine position statement. J Clin Sleep Med. 2021;17(10):2115-2119.