Waking up to Australia’s Sleep Health: A Consensus Statement from the Network of Early Career Sleep Researchers in Training (NEST) Council of the Australasian Sleep Association

Abstract

Adequate sleep is essential to support daily functioning, health, and wellbeing. A 2019 Australian Parliamentary Inquiry made 11 key recommendations, setting a national agenda to grow sleep research and clinical sleep medicine to improve the sleep health of Australians. In 2023, the Australian Federal Government endorsed many of these recommendations. The Network of Early Career Sleep Researchers in Training (NEST), a council of the Australasian Sleep Association (ASA), represents students and early-career researchers and clinicians in sleep research and medicine. In this consensus statement, we respond to the Parliamentary Inquiry’s recommendations and call for timely and adequate investments to address the key priorities in the proposed national sleep health agenda. Pivotal towards raising sleep health awareness and improving sleep disorder services nationally, we propose actions including 1) the recognition of sleep as a national health priority and the development of a national 10 year sleep health and well-being strategy; 2) a nationwide sleep health awareness campaign; 3) education for healthcare practitioners in sleep health and sleep medicine; and 4) funding for sleep research into critical areas needed to support the sleep health of all Australians. This consensus statement presents practical considerations for advancing Australia’s national sleep health agenda, drawing on input from emerging leaders in sleep research and medicine. We urge policymakers, healthcare providers, and industry leaders to prioritise these initiatives, which hold the potential to reduce the impact of sleep disorders on our healthcare system and improve the wellbeing of Australians.

sleep health, sleep medicine, sleep disorder, health advocacy

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