"Sleep affects everybody; we sleep for one third of our lives, it's the one activity we do the most of, and it's the one thing that if we don't do well or long enough, will have significant repercussions on our health, on our quality of life, and on others," says Dr. Quan, Clinical Chief and Medical Director of the Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders at Brigham Women's Hospital. With over half of the American population reporting that they don't get enough sleep, he argues that sleep deficiency has become an epidemic. While many people dismiss the importance of sleep, studies have shown that regularly getting fewer than six hours of sleep per night increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, and diabetes, while lowering your overall quality of life and putting other people's lives in danger.

Dr. Quan and his team are working to combat this problem with the Sleep Matters Initiative, which involves giving presentations about sleep health at various institutions and organizations, as well as administering screening questionnaires to all audience members after each presentation. If someone's answers on the questionnaire suggest that they might have a sleep issue, then the Sleep Matters Initiative will help them contact the right healthcare provider in order to have their sleep further evaluated.  

Tune in to learn more from Dr. Quan, visit www.brighamandwomens.org to find the clinic and make an appointment, and learn more at www.understanidngsleep.org.