Ariel Neikrug, PhD
Director of Sleep Health Program
Message from the SLEEP Health Program Director
Sleep is a fundamental pillar of health, essential for physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Addressing the key components of sleep health—sleep amount, timing, efficiency, regularity, quality, and daytime sleepiness—is crucial for preventing health issues and promoting long-term wellness.
Insufficient and poor sleep, particularly in the pediatric population, has reached concerning levels. Poor sleep is not just a symptom but a significant contributor to serious health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. These issues highlight the urgent need for innovative solutions to improve sleep health early in life to prevent disease and support lifelong health.
At the UC Irvine Health Research Center for Exercise Medicine and Sleep (RCEMS), we are dedicated to pioneering research into sleep health. Our work allows for comprehensive characterizations of sleep, pinpointing specific factors and understanding how they relate to other functions and impact disease. This includes understanding how insufficient sleep in children can lead to long-term health consequences, underscoring the need for early and effective intervention.
The journey toward better health starts with understanding the vital role of sleep. By prioritizing research and interventions that address the various components of sleep health, we can transform health outcomes, ensuring individuals enjoy better health, increased productivity, and improved quality of life.
Thank you for your interest in RCEMS. Together, we can uncover new insights and develop innovative strategies to enhance the health and well-being of children and adults, both within our community and beyond.
Ariel Neikrug, PhD
Director of Sleep Health Program
PI, iSLEEP – Interacting Mechanisms of Sleep and Endurance Exercise in Pediatrics
Research Center for Exercise Medicine and Sleep (RCEMS)
Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior
School of Medicine, University of California Irvine