Planning meeting for the Canadian Sleep and Circadian Network (CSCN)

Disrupted sleep and circadian rhythms have widespread consequences for physical and mental health, productivity, safety and quality of life. Over 25 percent of Canadians suffer from either sleep or circadian rhythm disorders. Despite their pervasiveness and their impact, sleep and circadian rhythm disorders are not generally recognized as an important public health issue in Canada. The education of the general public, health practitioners and policy makers remains inadequate. The Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health has identified this area as a target for development of a national, translational research network. The two-day planning meeting seeks to officially start the development of the Canadian Sleep and Circadian Network (CSCN). The general aims of this planning meeting are to define: 1) the mission and specific goals of the CSCN; 2) the CSCN's supporting structure; 3) the sustainability over time of the CSCN; 4) the integration of functions in the CSCN, including knowledge transfer; 5) the building of research capacity, including programs/models of training and early career development. The planning meeting will mostly focus on discussion/interactions between a group of sleep/circadian researchers across Canada (the scientific committee) and partners/stakeholders including patients-community associations, provincial governmental agencies-organization, scientific and professional associations, CIHR institutes and the private sector. Three target scientific/health priorities will be addressed: 1) Health and developmental issues associated to sleep and circadian rhythms in children and adolescents; 2) Sleep loss and sleep disorders in normal and pathological aging; and 3) Impact of sleep and circadian rhythms on cardiovascular and metabolic health. A consensus report will be submitted to all Canadian researchers, clinicians, students and corporate members of the Canadian Sleep Society for comments and a website for the CSCN network will be launched.