Sleep Disorder Awareness and Education Act

Senaie Office of the serrarp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 26 FEB -9 P1:47 SENATE RECEIVED BY: 1801 S. No. - Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT MANDATING THE FORMULATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF PROGRAMS ON SLEEP DISORDER AWARENESS EXPLANATORY NOTE Similar to food and water, sleep is a basic physiological need that is crucial to our general health and well-being. According to research, chronic lack of sleep, or getting poor quality sleep, increases the risk of health problems like high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression, and obesity. In addition, sleep disorders constitute a global epidemic that endangers the health and standard of living of up to 45% of the world's population. Sleep disorders refer to conditions that affect sleep quality, timing, or duration and affect a person's ability to function well. Some of the sleep disorders include insomnia, restless legs syndrome, narcolepsy, and sleep apnea. Most sleep disorders are preventable and treatable, yet, less than one-third (1/3) of people suffering from the disorders seek professional help. In the Philippines, awareness on the existence and prevalence of sleep disorders is evident. Alarmingly, even the Department of Health (DOH) has no data on sleep disorders in the country. Thus, this bill seeks to mandate DOH to formulate and implement programs regarding sleep disorders. This includes creating and maintaining a database of patients affected by the disease, increasing public awareness of different sleep disorders with the public, and conducting relevant training for professionals (such as teachers, nurses, social workers, coaches, counselors, and school administrators) on effective sleep disorder management and preventive measures. The DOH may also

provide free medical assistance and therapy to persons suffering from sleeping conditions. In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. MARK A. VILLAR poc

Senate Difice of the Serectary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 26 FEB -9 P1:47 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. 1801 Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT MANDATING THE FORMULATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF PROGRAMS ON SLEEP DISORDER AWARENESS Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Sleep Disorder

2 Awareness and Education Act."

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to protect and

promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. 5 As such, the State shall promote awareness to sleep disorders, including insomnia, narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome, sleep apnea; and provide educational and health 7 programs that may help the public to be knowledgeable on these disorders, and to provide help to those who are experiencing it.

Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - For the purposes of this Act, the following terms

are hereby defined as follows: i. "Insomnia" - refers to a sleep disorder characterized by difficulty with falling asleep, staying asleep, or both. ii. "Narcolepsy" - refers to a condition characterized by extreme sleepiness during the day and falling asleep suddenly during the day. iii. "Restless legs syndrome" (RLS) - refers to a type of sleep movement disorder. Restless legs syndrome, also called Willis-Ekbom disease, causes an uncomfortable sensation and an urge to move the legs while you try to fall asleep.

iv. "Sleep apnea" - refers to a sleep condition wherein the breathing stops and restarts many times while falling asleep. v. "Sleep disorder" - refers to a condition which involves problems with the quality, timing, and amount of sleep, which result in daytime distress and impairment in functioning.

Sec. 4. Innovative Assistance for the Identification of, Training on, and

7 Educational Awareness of Sleep Disorder. The Department of Health (DOH) shall 8 formulate and implement programs regarding sleep disorders, which includes creating 9 and maintaining a database of patients affected by the disease, increasing public awareness of different sleep disorders, and conducting relevant training for professionals (such as teachers, nurses, social workers, coaches, counselors, and school administrators) on effective sleep disorder management and preventive measures. The DOH may also provide free medical assistance and therapy to persons suffering from sleeping conditions.

Sec. 5. Public Awareness. - The Department of Education (DepEd) and the

Commission on Higher Education (CHED), in consultation with the DOH, shall carry out programs to develop, distribute, and conduct relevant public service announcement activities to improve public awareness, and to promote prevention and management of sleep disorders.

Sec. 6. Sleep Disorder Research and Report. - Not later than eighteen (18)

months after the enactment of this Act, the DOH shall conduct a study on the impact of sleep disorder on educational advancement and achievement. The study shall: (a) determine the prevalence of sleep disorder among the population and the morbidity and mortality rates associated with sleep disorder; (b) report on current national and local programs to educate the public about the dangers of sleep disorder, as well as evaluate the value of such programs; and (c) make recommendations on measures that could be undertaken by the Congress, the Secretary of Education, and the Secretary of Health, to strengthen sleep disorder awareness programs.

Sec. 7. Intervention of LGUs- Local Government Unit (LGUs) shall likewise craft

policies on sleep disorder awareness programs and ensure their effective implementation.

Sec. 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision, or part hereof, is held invalid or

unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive

8 order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with, the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.

Sec. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following

its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,