Recognizes the importance of sleep and supports Sleep Awareness Week to promote public awareness of healthy sleep habits and the need for policies that improve sleep health.
Madeleine Dean
Representative
PA-4
This bill recognizes the critical role of sleep in health and well-being and supports the designation of "Sleep Awareness Week." It encourages public health initiatives, promotes healthy sleep habits, and urges Americans to prioritize sleep and consult healthcare providers about sleep concerns. The bill also acknowledges the need for policies that improve sleep health.
Congress Officially Recognizes Sleep Awareness Week, March 9-15, 2025: Highlights Need for 7+ Hours of Sleep, Especially for At-Risk Groups
This resolution formally acknowledges the critical role of sleep in overall health, well-being, and even safety. It's not just about feeling rested; it's directly tied to reducing risks for serious conditions like diabetes, stroke, heart disease, and depression. The resolution specifically points out that while most adults need at least seven hours of sleep, a whopping 60% of Americans aren't hitting that mark regularly, and 35% are chronically getting less than seven hours. (Section 1)
Sleepless in America
The resolution highlights a crucial point: sleep deprivation isn't just about feeling tired. It can mess with your memory, crank up your stress levels, and significantly increase your risk of those major health problems mentioned earlier. It also calls out a concerning disparity: Black Americans are disproportionately affected by inadequate or poor-quality sleep, making this a health equity issue. (Section 1)
The resolution throws its support behind the National Sleep Foundation's Sleep Awareness Week, slated for March 9-15, 2025, and aligns with the work of the National Center on Sleep Disorders Research. It's basically a big thumbs-up to efforts already underway to promote better sleep habits. (Section 2)
From the Top Down: A Call to Action
This isn't just a symbolic gesture. The resolution actively encourages everyone from public health officials and doctors to educators and parents to get involved in promoting healthy sleep. It urges all Americans to make sleep a priority, adopt good sleep hygiene (think consistent bedtimes, limiting screen time before bed, etc.), and, importantly, to talk to their healthcare providers about any sleep concerns. (Section 3)
Finally, it acknowledges that more needs to be done on the policy front to really move the needle on sleep health. This could mean anything from workplace regulations that promote adequate rest to public health campaigns that go beyond just a single week of awareness. (Section 3)