New statement highlights the clinical significance of sleepiness and its impact on health and safety
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has released a new position statement emphasizing the clinical significance of sleepiness and its impact on performance, health, mood, safety, and quality of life. The position statement was published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.
The position states that sleepiness is a critical patient-reported outcome that is associated with an increased risk for adverse health effects and diminished quality of life. The statement urges health care professionals, policymakers, and researchers to prioritize the evaluation, management, and treatment of sleepiness to improve public health.
"Sleepiness is a serious health concern with wide-reaching consequences," said Dr. Eric Olson, president of the AASM.
"From drowsy driving crashes to workplace errors and long-term health risks, the effects of excessive daytime sleepiness impact individuals and society every day. With one-third of U.S. adults reporting they experience excessive sleepiness, the importance of identifying interventions that recognize, assess, and treat it cannot be understated."
Sleepiness is a marker of insufficient sleep and a major patient-reported symptom associated with sleep-wake disorders such as narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea.
Research shows that excessive daytime sleepiness, which is the inability to stay awake and alert during the major waking episodes of the day, is linked to increased risks of cognitive impairment, workplace accidents, drowsy driving crashes, and mental health concerns, such as depression and suicidal ideation. Sleepiness can also be a side effect of medical conditions, medication use, and lifestyle factors that contribute to chronic sleep deprivation.
"We've reached a critical point where the health care system must prioritize the evaluation and management of sleepiness to help patients achieve restorative sleep and maintain daytime alertness," said Olson. "Further research and innovation are essential to advancing the treatment of sleep-wake disorders, including studies that drive the development of therapies for daytime sleepiness."
The position statement received support from 25 medical, scientific, patient, and safety organizations:
- American Academy of Cardiovascular Sleep Medicine
- American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine
- American Academy of Emergency Medicine
- American Academy of Family Physicians
- American Academy of Neurology
- American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST)
- American College of Lifestyle Medicine
- American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
- American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery
- American Society of Anesthesiologists
- American Thoracic Society
- California Sleep Society
- Circadian Sleep Disorders Network
- Dakotas Sleep Society
- Hypersomnia Foundation
- Louisiana Academy of Sleep Medicine
- National Safety Council
- Obesity Medicine Association
- Project Sleep
- Sleep Research Society
- Society for Research on Biological Rhythms
- Society of Behavioral Sleep Medicine
- Southern Sleep Society
- Start School Later
- Wake Up Narcolepsy
*This position statement is supported by the American Academy of Family Physicians. The American Society of Anesthesiologists affirms the value of this position statement. This position statement was endorsed by the American Thoracic Society on January 22, 2025. The Sleep Research Society reviewed and endorses the findings and position described in this manuscript.
Anyone who has a sleep problem can use the AASM's sleep center directory to get help from the sleep team at an accredited sleep center.
More information:
Clinical significance of sleepiness: an American Academy of Sleep Medicine position statement, Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine (2025). DOI: 10.5664/jcsm.11658
Provided by American Academy of Sleep Medicine