National Sleep Awareness Week® Advocacy Was a Success!

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Advocates representing the universe of sleep came to Washington during National Sleep Awareness Week® to educate Congress that more must be done to further sleep research, reduce the prevalence of drowsy driving, and improve the lives of those with sleep disorders.

Participants included patients, sleep professionals, people affected by drowsy driving, and members of the National Sleep Awareness Roundtable.  The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) has been continuously working with this wide range of advocates to:

• Promote sleep as a healthy behavior;
• Raise awareness about the signs and symptoms of sleep disorders; and
• Combat the consequences of sleep deprivation, such as workplace accidents and drowsy driving.

The cornerstone of these efforts was NSF’s Advocacy Training and Capitol Hill Day on March 4, during National Sleep Awareness Week®.  NSF’s government affairs team provided advocates with an overview of the legislative process and current priorities for sleep.  Participants also received guidance on how to properly conduct meetings with policymakers.  After the training session, the Sleep Advocates went up to Capitol Hill en masse where they conducted over 30 visits with policymakers.  Our efforts were successful in educating members about sleep and securing promises of support.

The National Sleep Foundation is grateful to the individuals and organizations who participated in our advocacy training, our Capitol Hill Day, or who made visits on other days during NSAW.  We also are very thankful to those who placed calls, and wrote letters/e-mails.

To support our ongoing efforts:
- Click here to donate in support of our ongoing advocacy efforts!
- Click here to e-mail Congress in support of sleep!