The Institute of Medicine convened an ad hoc committee of experts in public health, academic and medical administration, and health sciences research.  The committee addressed the following issues:

1. Review and quantify the public health significance of sleep health, sleep loss, and sleep disorders based on current knowledge.  This task will include assessments of the contribution of sleep disorders to poor health, reduced quality of life, and early mortality, and the economic consequences of sleep loss and sleep disorders, including lost wages and productivity. Target populations will be segmented as children, adults, and the elderly.
2. Identify gaps in the public health system relating to the understanding, management, and treatment of sleep loss and sleep disorders, and assess the adequacy of the current resources and infrastructures for addressing the gaps.  The committee, however, will not be responsible for making any budgetary recommendations.
3. Identify barriers to and opportunities for improving and stimulating multidisciplinary research, education, and training in sleep medicine. Delineate fiscal and academic organizational models that promote and facilitate: sleep research in the basic sciences; cooperative research efforts between basic science disciplines and clinical practice specialties; and multidisciplinary efforts in education and training of practitioners in sleep health, sleep disorders, and sleep research.
4. Develop a comprehensive plan for enhancing sleep medicine and sleep research, as appropriate, for improving the public's health.  This will include interdisciplinary initiatives for research, medical education, training, clinical practice, and health policy.