Video: NSF Announces New Initiative to Help America Start Sleeping Smart

New Survey Shows America is Not Making the Grade When it Comes to Sleep Smarts

WASHINGTON, July 31 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Sleep Foundation (NSF)
announced today that, together with sanofi-aventis U.S., it is launching a new
campaign called Sleeping Smart which will educate the millions of Americans
who have sleep problems about the importance of a good night's sleep, proper
sleep habits, help them understand the consequences of insomnia, and the safe
and appropriate use of prescription sleep medications. The campaign will also
motivate sleep-sufferers to talk to a healthcare professional to determine if
treatment is appropriate.
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To view the Multimedia News Release, go to:
http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/sleepingsmart/33648/

As part of the campaign, results of a new survey of American adults
released today showed that while nearly 60 percent of those at increased risk
for insomnia* say that their symptoms affect their daily activities at least a
few days a week, only about half of those at increased risk for insomnia have
actually initiated a conversation with their healthcare professional about
their sleep issues.
"More often than not, sleep sufferers are hesitant to talk to their
healthcare professional because of lack of information or they don't think
their problem is serious enough," said Phyllis Zee, MD, PhD, NSF board member;
associate director, Center for Sleep & Circadian Biology; and professor,
Northwestern University Institute for Neuroscience. "Sleeping Smart will
address common myths and misperceptions about insomnia, sleep habits and
treatment options to educate and motivate sufferers to address their sleep
problems."
America's Sleep Report Card
According to the survey:
-- More than one-third of Americans are at increased risk for insomnia.*
-- While most respondents can identify the consequences of insomnia (e.g.,
increased risk of automotive crashes, decreased work performance, depression
or mood changes) they don't have a clear understanding of what insomnia is.
Two-thirds of those at increased risk for insomnia don't consider themselves
to have the condition, which may further perpetuate reasons for not seeking
help.
-- Practicing a healthy sleep routine prior to actually getting into bed
may help promote a good night's sleep. However, many people at increased risk
for insomnia engage in stimulating activities an hour before getting into bed
at least a few nights per week, including watching TV (90 percent); using the
computer or Internet (33 percent); or doing household chores (43 percent).
"Prescription sleep aids are safe and effective when taken as prescribed,
however, our survey found that 85 percent of all respondents believed that
people often or sometimes misuse prescription sleep aids," said Helene A.
Emsellem, MD, FAASM, medical director, The Center for Sleep and Wake
Disorders, Chevy Chase, Maryland and a volunteer with the National Sleep
Foundation. "It is important for patients to work with their healthcare
professional to determine the best course of treatment for their insomnia,
including lifestyle changes, adjusting bedtime sleep routines, cognitive
behavioral therapy, and/or prescription medications that help people fall and
stay asleep."
As with all medications, it is important to take sleep aids only as
directed by a healthcare professional. This means following his or her
instructions about how to take, when to take and how long to take sleep
medicine. Sleep aids should not be taken with alcohol, before driving or
operating machinery, or before taking a bath or shower, among other things. Be
sure you're able to devote 7 to 8 hours to sleep before being active again.
Patients should consult with a healthcare professional before taking any
medication differently than how it is prescribed.
Tips for Sleeping Smart
-- Establish a regular bed and wake time
-- Avoid caffeine and nicotine close to bedtime
-- Avoid alcohol
-- Exercise regularly (but complete the workout at least 3 hours before
bedtime)
-- Establish a regular relaxing "wind-down" bedtime routine
-- Create a sleep-conducive environment that is dark, quiet and cool
-- Discuss appropriate way to take any sleep aid with healthcare
professional

Are you Sleeping Smart? For more information visit www.sleepingsmart.org.

About Insomnia
Insomnia can be a serious medical condition characterized by difficulty
falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep (waking up often during the night
and having trouble going back to sleep), waking up too early in the morning
and feeling tired upon waking. According to the National Institutes of Health
(NIH) and the Institute of Medicine (IOM), approximately 30 million Americans
are affected by chronic insomnia each year.
Patients with chronic insomnia report higher rates of absenteeism and
demonstrate poor work efficiency compared to normal sleepers. Insomnia can
lead to stress and reduced productivity, and thus may be costly to the
workplace.
Survey Methodology
This national poll was conducted for the National Sleep Foundation by WB&A
Market Research. Telephone interviews were conducted between May 13 and June
2, 2008, with a random sample of 1,002 adult Americans aged 18 and over. In
survey research, the entire population is typically not interviewed, but
rather a sample of that population is polled. Therefore, the data are subject
to sampling error. The maximum sampling error of the data for the total sample
of 1,002 interviews is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points at the 95%
confidence level.
*Those at increased risk for insomnia, experience at least one sleep
problem (defined in the survey results as having difficulty falling asleep,
being awake a lot during the night, waking up too early and not being able to
get back to sleep, or waking up un-refreshed despite spending adequate time in
bed) every night or almost every night and report that this affects their
daily activities. The maximum sampling error for this subgroup is plus or
minus 5.3 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.
About NSF
The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) is an independent nonprofit
organization dedicated to improving public health and safety by achieving
greater understanding of sleep and sleep disorders. NSF furthers its mission
through sleep-related education, research, and advocacy initiatives. NSF's
membership includes researchers and clinicians focused on sleep medicine as
well as other professionals in the health, medical and science fields,
individuals, patients and more than 800 sleep clinics and healthcare
facilities throughout North America that join the Foundation's Community Sleep
Awareness Partners program. For more information, visit,
www.sleepfoundation.org.
Contact:
Lauren Klingler
lklingler@webershandwick.com
212-445-8244

SOURCE National Sleep Foundation (NSF)

Lauren Klingler, +1-212-445-8244, lklingler@webershandwick.com, for National
Sleep Foundation